Blow to education or the bare face of hate politics?

By Dr. Syed Tabish Imam
Kashmir - The mere mention of the name conjures up images of snow-capped mountains, azure lakes, and lush valleys in the mind. However, this region is not just a metaphor for natural beauty, but also a symbol of the politics of the subcontinent, the struggle for power, the struggle for identity, and a testing ground for state decisions. Every decision made in Kashmir is not just a routine administrative action, but also reflects the national narrative, ideological priorities, and political direction. Whether it's the construction of a road, the establishment of a university, or the closure of an educational institution - every step has its own significance, symbolic weight, and far-reaching consequences.

In such a sensitive region, when a medical college is approved, it is not just an educational project, but represents health, human service, social development, and the dreams of the future. A medical college is an institution that not only fulfills the shortage of doctors but also strengthens the health system, research, employment, and social trust of the entire region. However, when the approval of such an institution is sacrificed at the altar of political pressure, religious hatred, and slogans raised on the streets, the question is not limited to the closure of just a college, but it starts to raise questions about the state's intention, political ethics, and national conscience.

The cancellation of the approval of the Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College in Jammu and Kashmir is a disturbing link in this chain. Apparently, the decision was made due to administrative flaws, lack of infrastructure, and "state interest", but the ground realities and sequence of events clearly indicate that this decision was a direct result of political pressure and the organized protest politics of communal organizations. In the context of facts, this is not just the closure of an educational institution, but the naked face of hate politics, which is now knocking on the doors of education without any hesitation.

The Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College was approved by the Jammu and Kashmir government last year. Behind this approval, there was an undeniable fact: the severe shortage of quality medical institutions and doctors in the Kashmir Valley. According to official statistics, Jammu and Kashmir have about 0.8 doctors per 1,000 people, while the national average is around 1.3. This rate is even lower in rural and remote areas. In such circumstances, the establishment of a new medical college was not just an educational need, but a vital and essential question related to human issues and life.

Like other medical colleges in the country, the Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College also had an admission system based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) at the national level. The purpose of NEET was to ensure merit, transparency, and equality in medical education across the country and to close all doors to religious, caste, regional, or political interference. Notably, the Supreme Court has also clarified in several cases, particularly in the TMA Pai Foundation and Christian Medical College cases, that admissions to medical education will be based on merit, not on the basis of any religious or social proportion.

However, the problem arose in the college when the NEET 2025 results were announced. A large number of approved seats in the Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College went to students who were Muslims, and most of them were from Kashmir. This was not unusual. Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in educational awareness in Kashmir, and Kashmiri students, especially Muslim students, have been performing better in competitive exams. But this "merit-based success" proved unbearable for some political forces. Suddenly, protests began on the streets. Local and national leaders of the BJP started saying that the admissions were "one-sided", Hindu students were being treated unfairly, and "state interests" were being harmed. An organized campaign was run on social media, emotions were fueled, and a section of the media turned the issue into a religious controversy rather than an educational debate.

The basic question here is that if the admission was through a national-level exam, which is not controlled by the state government or any religious institution, then on what basis is the allegation of being "one-sided" made? Is merit suspicious if it favors Muslims? Is the national exam acceptable only as long as its results are in line with a particular political narrative?

This is the point where the boundaries between education and politics become dangerously blurred. The BJP and its affiliated organizations deliberately gave a religious color to the issue. The protest was organized, pressure was increased, and eventually, the government took the path often taken in such cases - surrendering to pressure.

On January 10, 2026, the National Medical Commission (NMC) withdrew the approval of the Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College. Officially, it was stated that the infrastructure was inadequate. But the question is, if there was really a lack of infrastructure, why was the initial approval given? Were these flaws suddenly discovered, or were they found under political necessity? On the standards of justice, this decision seems not just administrative but political, where the official justification was used to cover up the real intention.

This decision also seems to be in conflict with the spirit of the Indian Constitution. Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees equality, Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, and Articles 29 and 30 protect the educational rights of minorities. The Supreme Court has repeatedly clarified that the state or any political party cannot interfere in educational institutions on the basis of religious proportion. In this context, the question becomes inevitable: has the educational success of Muslim students become a "problem" in itself?

The effects of this decision are not limited to just a few students or an institution. In a region like Kashmir, every medical seat is valuable. A medical college is connected to the dreams of hundreds of young people, the hopes of thousands of patients, and the entire health system. The closure of the college means that the future of young people has been locked, the possibilities of treatment for patients have decreased, and once again, the message has been conveyed that education is also dependent on political loyalty.

This incident points to the bitter reality that hate politics is no longer limited to slogans and speeches, but has infiltrated policy-making and institutional decisions. The educational progress of Muslims is unacceptable to some forces because it challenges their established narrative of prejudice. When Muslims move forward on merit, they break the notion that progress is the legacy of a particular class.

In short, the question is, where do we stand? Will we remain silent and accept this trend, or will we raise our voices in defense of the Constitution, merit, and human values? The cancellation of the approval of the Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College is not just news, but an indication of the future of India. Kashmir is today, tomorrow it could be any other region.