Omar Abdullah (File photo) SRINAGAR: J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah slammed Tuesday BJP’s objections to admission of Muslims in Katra’s Vaishno Devi Medical College, saying the party should then have it declared as a minority institution.Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary joined Omar in denouncing BJP’s stance, with the two heavyweights of the governing National Conference (NC) framing its objections as a direct challenge to India’s secular principles and constitutional values.“If you don’t want Muslim students to study in the medical college, then declare it a minority institution. There is one Sikh candidate and several Muslim candidates, let them know it so they can withdraw and seek admission elsewhere. If this continues, our children will go elsewhere. They will go to Bangladesh or Turkey to study,” Omar said.The row erupted after the new college filled seats strictly on NEET’s merit list and reserved 85% of its seats for J&K domiciles, with only eight Hindu students from Jammu making it to the first MBBS batch of 50.After the admissions were completed, VHP and Bajrang Dal were the first to protest, arguing that an institution funded by Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board should give preference to Hindus only.BJP joined them later. On Saturday, BJP’s leader of opposition Sunil Sharma formally lodged a protest with J&K lieutenant-governor (LG) Manoj Sinha, who is ex-officio chairman of the shrine board, submitting a memorandum seeking a review of admission norms.On Tuesday, J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha member Sat Sharma reiterated the position, saying only those who have faith in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi should get admission in the medical college, which comes under Mata Vaishno Devi University.Omar questioned the stance. “When the J&K assembly passed the bill (for the university)…it was clearly stated that admissions will be based on merit. If you want admissions without merit, then seek permission from Supreme Court. As far as I know, our Constitution does not allow religion-based admissions,” the CM said.Omar urged BJP to read the bill under which Mata Vaishno Devi University was established, insisting nowhere does it mention “religion-based admissions”.The CM drew a parallel with Vaishno Devi Hospital, which has been functioning in Katra for several years. “If that logic is applied, then Muslims or non-Hindus should be denied treatment at the hospital? Where will it end? Should we ask people their faith before giving them ration? Should the police decide their duty based on religion?” Omar said.The word “secularism” is still in the Constitution, Omar pointed out. “If you don’t want secularism in this country, remove it from the Constitution. Then you can do what you want, and we will do what we must.”Deputy CM Choudhary asserted that admissions cannot be tied to faith. “These (medical college) students have qualified NEET. We must maintain brotherhood and it shouldn’t be made an issue,” Choudhary said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosKejriwal, Mann Pay Homage to Ninth Sikh Guru on 350th Martyrdom DayYogi Adityanath Uncovers The Dark Truth Of Mughal’S Tyranny On Shaheedi DiwasIndia Entering ‘Golden Era’ Of Defence Innovation And Self-Reliance: Rajnath Singh‘Until Brahmin Donates His Daughter’: IAS Officer’S Remark Sparks Row, Issues Clarification’A Nation That Never Bows to Terror, Operation Sindoor Shows New India’s Resolve, Says PM ModiChina Rejects Charge of Harassing Indian Woman in Shanghai, But Insists Claim Over Arunachal PradeshMamata Banerjee Warns BJP With Nation-Shaking Threat As SIR Battle Erupts In Bengal Ahead Of PollsAssam CM Calls Zubeen Garg’S Death ‘Plain Murder’, Drops Explosive RevelationDrone Show Pays Homage To Guru Tegh Bahadur In 350th Martyrdom Anniversary Event At Anandpur SahibRed Fort Attack May Derail Benjamin Netanyahu’s India Visit As Israeli Media Flags Safety Concerns123Photostories5 electric blue animals that seem to be painted with ocean water6 factors that are essential to balance blood sugar naturallyThe most viral MET Gala moments you almost forgot10 phrases your child should avoid saying and what to teach them insteadExclusive – Bigg Boss 19: From opening up about her relationship with Kumar Sanu to calling Malti Chahar a ‘lesbian’; Kunickaa Sadanand breaks silence on her journey5 celebrity looks of the day that are setting major fashion goalsMrs. Gump’s most inspiring life lessons from Forrest Gump that still inspire generations8 modern-sounding baby boy names in Sanskrit and their meaningWinter-Friendly Fruits: 8 plants that thrives in cold-weather gardensFrom ‘Dhurandhar’ to ‘Kill Dil’: Moments when Ranveer Singh ruled action on screen123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeCyclone SenyarGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingEthiopian Volcanic EruptionVaishno Devi College AdmissionsNHL RumorsJoe Thornton Net WorthStem OPT ExtensionMLB Trade RumorsSmriti Mandhana EducationAsha Jadeja MotwaniTyson FuryTrump Gold Card
SRINAGAR: J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah slammed Tuesday BJP’s objections to admission of Muslims in Katra’s Vaishno Devi Medical College, saying the party should then have it declared as a minority institution.Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary joined Omar in denouncing BJP’s stance, with the two heavyweights of the governing National Conference (NC) framing its objections as a direct challenge to India’s secular principles and constitutional values.“If you don’t want Muslim students to study in the medical college, then declare it a minority institution. There is one Sikh candidate and several Muslim candidates, let them know it so they can withdraw and seek admission elsewhere. If this continues, our children will go elsewhere. They will go to Bangladesh or Turkey to study,” Omar said.The row erupted after the new college filled seats strictly on NEET’s merit list and reserved 85% of its seats for J&K domiciles, with only eight Hindu students from Jammu making it to the first MBBS batch of 50.After the admissions were completed, VHP and Bajrang Dal were the first to protest, arguing that an institution funded by Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board should give preference to Hindus only.BJP joined them later. On Saturday, BJP’s leader of opposition Sunil Sharma formally lodged a protest with J&K lieutenant-governor (LG) Manoj Sinha, who is ex-officio chairman of the shrine board, submitting a memorandum seeking a review of admission norms.On Tuesday, J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha member Sat Sharma reiterated the position, saying only those who have faith in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi should get admission in the medical college, which comes under Mata Vaishno Devi University.Omar questioned the stance. “When the J&K assembly passed the bill (for the university)…it was clearly stated that admissions will be based on merit. If you want admissions without merit, then seek permission from Supreme Court. As far as I know, our Constitution does not allow religion-based admissions,” the CM said.Omar urged BJP to read the bill under which Mata Vaishno Devi University was established, insisting nowhere does it mention “religion-based admissions”.The CM drew a parallel with Vaishno Devi Hospital, which has been functioning in Katra for several years. “If that logic is applied, then Muslims or non-Hindus should be denied treatment at the hospital? Where will it end? Should we ask people their faith before giving them ration? Should the police decide their duty based on religion?” Omar said.The word “secularism” is still in the Constitution, Omar pointed out. “If you don’t want secularism in this country, remove it from the Constitution. Then you can do what you want, and we will do what we must.”Deputy CM Choudhary asserted that admissions cannot be tied to faith. “These (medical college) students have qualified NEET. We must maintain brotherhood and it shouldn’t be made an issue,” Choudhary said.
