Jammu, January 15, 2026: Senior leader and former Councilor Ashwani Khajuria addressed a press conference today, terming the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) decision to withdraw the Letter of Permission for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Medical College as “unfortunate and politically motivated.”
Khajuria argued that the closure is an unfair blow to the educated masses of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly those in the Jammu province. Citing 2011 census data and Medical Council of India records, he highlighted the chronic shortage of healthcare infrastructure in rural India—where only 27.5% of districts have medical colleges—emphasizing that institutions like SMVD are vital to addressing the scarcity of local physicians and the massive disparity in bed availability between urban and rural areas.
Khajuria vehemently denied the NMC’s claims regarding faculty shortages and inadequate infrastructure, asserting that the college possesses superior labs, libraries, and operation theaters compared to many other regional institutions.
He alleged that the controversy is rooted in religious bigotry following the admission of 50 Muslim students in the first batch, which sparked protests from right-wing groups. According to insiders, the NMC inspection was conducted with only 15 minutes’ notice during winter vacations when many faculty members were away.
The move has drawn sharp criticism across the political spectrum, with former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti labeling it a “pre-planned” and “dangerous” step. Khajuria concluded by urging elected representatives to stop “celebrating” the cancellation and instead work toward restoring the college for the benefit of the entire Union Territory.
