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SMVDMI Shutdown Sparks Protests Over Religious Admissions

1/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute (SMVDMI) shut down after the National Medical Commission revoked its recognition, amid protests in Kashmir.
Protests followed the admission of 42 Muslim students in the college's inaugural MBBS batch.
Critics, including local politicians, condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s influence and argued admissions should be based on merit, not religion.
The government pledged to relocate affected students to other colleges to secure education.

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Story summary

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute (SMVDMI) shut down after the National Medical Commission revoked its recognition, amid protests in Kashmir.
Protests followed the admission of 42 Muslim students in the college's inaugural MBBS batch.
Critics, including local politicians, condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s influence and argued admissions should be based on merit, not religion.
The government pledged to relocate affected students to other colleges to secure education.