India SMVDIME Closure Controversy 2025: When Religion Overrides Merit
Explore the India SMVDIME closure controversy 2025. Analysis of how religious protests led to the shutdown of a medical college in Jammu and its impact on academic freedom.
A medical dream turned into a sectarian nightmare for 50 students in Jammu and Kashmir. The India SMVDIME closure controversy 2025 erupted after the National Medical Commission (NMC) abruptly withdrew permission for the institute following protests over the religious background of its inaugural batch.
The India SMVDIME Closure Controversy 2025: A Timeline of Tension
In November 2024, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) released its first admission list. Out of 50 students selected based on the merit-driven NEET exam, 42 were Muslims. This demographic reality sparked immediate outrage from local Hindu groups in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region.
The protesters, including leaders from the ruling BJP, argued that because the institute is funded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board—which manages one of Hinduism's holiest shrines—non-Hindus shouldn't be allowed to study there. Yielding to this pressure, the NMC officially withdrew its recognition on January 6, 2025, citing technical deficiencies without prior notice to the college.
The Erosion of Academic Freedom
This incident isn't an isolated case but part of a broader trend. The V-Dem Institute recently downgraded India's academic freedom status to "completely restricted" in its 2025 report. Critics argue that education is being weaponized to serve Hindutva ideological goals, undermining the quality of medical training.
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