Vaishno Devi Medical College opens, faces heat over admissions
The new Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College in Reasi just kicked off its first MBBS batch, filling almost all seats through NEET merit.
The student mix is diverse—mostly Muslims and a handful of Hindus—with women making up more than half the class.
But the college is already under fire from groups protesting the high number of Muslim students and demanding reservations for Hindus.
Why does it matter?
This isn't just about numbers—political parties like BJP and VHP are demanding admissions be canceled or reserved for Hindus in the future, arguing that shrine donations come from Hindus.
Meanwhile, others defend the merit-based system and point out that students from different backgrounds are getting along well on campus.
The debate highlights bigger questions about access, fairness, and who gets to benefit from top colleges in Jammu & Kashmir.