India shuts Kashmir medical college after Muslims earned most admissions

"India has shut down a medical college in Indian-administered Kashmir in an apparent capitulation to protests by right-wing Hindu groups over the admission of an overwhelming number of Muslim students into the prestigious course. The National Medical Commission (NMC), a federal regulatory authority for medical education and practices, on January 6 revoked the recognition of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute (SMVDMI), located in Reasi, a mountainous district overlooking the Pir Panjal range in the Himalayas,"

"Admissions to medical colleges across India, whether public or private, follow a centralised entrance examination, called the National Entrance Examination Test (NEET), conducted by the federal Ministry of Education's National Testing Agency (NTA). More than two million Indian students appear for NEET every year, hoping to secure one of approximately 120,000 MBBS seats. Aspirants usually prefer public colleges, where fees are lower but cutoffs for admission are high. Those who fail to meet the cutoff but meet a minimum NTA threshold join a private college."

"Of the 50 pupils who joined the five-year bachelor's in medicine (MBBS) programme in November, 42 were Muslims, most of them residents of Kashmir, while seven were Hindus and one was a Sikh. It was the first MBBS batch that the private college, founded by a Hindu religious charity and partly funded by the government, had launched. Admissions to medical colleges across India, whether public or private, follow a centralised entrance examination, called"

Hindu groups insisted that Muslims should not benefit from institutions funded by Hindu charity. India revoked recognition of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute (SMVDMI) after protests by right-wing Hindu groups over the high number of Muslim admissions. Of 50 MBBS entrants in the first batch, 42 were Muslims, seven Hindus and one Sikh. SMVDMI was founded by a Hindu religious charity and was partly government-funded. Admissions follow the centralised NEET exam administered by the National Testing Agency. Over two million students take NEET annually for roughly 120,000 MBBS seats, and unsuccessful high scorers often join private colleges.

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