Protest Erupts in Jammu: Hindutva Groups Demand Shift Muslim Students from SMVDIME.

Protest Erupts in Jammu Over Medical College Admissions; Hindutva Groups Demand Relocation of Muslim Students, Vow Shutdown.

Upendra Bharti | HENB  | Jammu | Dec 25, 2025::  Tensions escalated sharply in Jammu on Thursday as several right-wing Hindu organizations staged a high-intensity protest against the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Jammu and Kashmir administration, demanding the relocation of Muslim students from the newly established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME). The protest, organized under the banner of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, has reignited debates surrounding representation, resource allocation, and the role of religious institutions in public welfare.

The controversy arose following the announcement of admissions to the institute’s inaugural MBBS batch. According to the protesters, 42 out of 50 seats were secured by Muslim candidates, most of whom reportedly hail from the Kashmir Valley. This demographic distribution triggered resentment among sections of the local population, who perceive the outcome as disproportionate and indicative of systemic neglect of Hindu students from the Jammu region.

The protest march was led by Colonel (Retd.) Sukhvir Singh Mankotia, a prominent figure within the Samiti. The umbrella body includes members from trade associations, legal fraternities, and various social and religious organizations. Protesters marched through parts of Jammu city, raising slogans against the Shrine Board and the administration. In a dramatic escalation, they burned an effigy of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, symbolically expressing their anger and dissatisfaction. The demonstrators also criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and members of the Shrine Board, accusing them of ignoring regional and religious sensitivities.

Addressing the gathering, Colonel Mankotia issued a stern warning, stating that if the admission decision was not reviewed or reversed, the Samiti would intensify its agitation. Drawing parallels with the 2008 Amarnath land row protests—which had brought the region to a standstill—he cautioned that Jammu could once again witness widespread shutdowns and civil unrest. “If our demands are not addressed, we will be compelled to escalate the movement,” he declared.

A central argument advanced by the protesters concerns the utilization of funds generated through offerings made by devotees at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Mankotia emphasized that these donations, made in faith by millions of pilgrims, were intended primarily for religious and cultural purposes. He argued that while the funds have been used to develop hospitals, universities, and infrastructure such as roads, they should not be diverted exclusively toward what he described as “government-run projects” that allegedly fail to benefit the Hindu community proportionately.

The Samiti called for a reorientation of priorities, urging the Shrine Board to allocate more resources toward the establishment of gurukuls (traditional Hindu educational institutions), gaushalas (cow shelters), preservation and renovation of temples, and the provision of reservations or special considerations for Hindu students in educational institutions funded by shrine donations. According to the protesters, such measures are essential to safeguard religious identity and ensure equitable representation.

The episode underscores the deepening communal undercurrents in the Jammu region, where concerns over demographic balance, access to educational opportunities, and control over religious resources have increasingly come to the fore. While the protest remained largely symbolic on Thursday, its rhetoric and historical references have raised apprehensions about potential unrest.

As of now, the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have not issued an official response to the demands raised by the Sangharsh Samiti. Observers note that the administration’s handling of the situation will be critical in preventing further polarization and maintaining public order.

With the Samiti reiterating its resolve to continue the agitation, questions loom large over whether Jammu is on the brink of another prolonged confrontation reminiscent of past mass movements. The coming days are likely to test both administrative responsiveness and the region’s fragile communal harmony.
..
_Agency Inputs.