SMVD Medical College MBBS Cancellation: Mehbooba Mufti Warns of Dangerous Precedent, Questions Omar Abdullah’s Role
By: Javid Amin | 09 January 2026
A Regulatory Decision With Political Ripples
The cancellation of the MBBS course at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Reasi has triggered a sharp political debate in Jammu and Kashmir, with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti warning that the move could set a “dangerous precedent” for Kashmiri students across India.
While the National Medical Commission (NMC) has cited regulatory non-compliance as the basis for its decision, Mufti has questioned the timing and broader implications of the closure, particularly in light of public remarks made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shortly before the decision was announced.
What the NMC Decided
The National Medical Commission withdrew permission for SMVDIME to run its MBBS programme for the 2025–26 academic session.
According to regulatory norms, medical colleges must meet minimum standards related to:
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Faculty strength
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Clinical material and patient inflow
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Infrastructure, laboratories, and hostels
The NMC has maintained that failure to meet these benchmarks can lead to withdrawal of recognition, irrespective of the institution’s location or ownership.
Admissions Profile and the Spark of Controversy
The controversy escalated after it emerged that 42 of the 50 MBBS seats at SMVDIME had been filled by Kashmiri Muslim students.
This admissions profile triggered protests by some right-wing groups in Jammu, who alleged bias in admissions and demanded scrutiny of the college’s intake process. These protests gave the issue a communal and regional dimension, even as officials insisted the NMC’s action was regulatory in nature.
Mehbooba Mufti’s Allegations and Concerns
Mehbooba Mufti has described the cancellation as more than a routine regulatory step, framing it as part of a larger and troubling pattern.
Key Points Raised by Mehbooba Mufti
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Pre-planned Nature: She alleged that the closure appeared coordinated, noting that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah publicly spoke about shutting the college just hours before the NMC announced its decision.
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Communalisation of Education: Mufti argued that the controversy has turned a technical compliance issue into a communal flashpoint.
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National Precedent: She warned that the move could embolden groups elsewhere in India to target Kashmiri Muslim students in educational institutions.
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Testing Ground Argument: According to her, Jammu and Kashmir is often used as an “experiment” for measures that are later replicated in other parts of the country.
Mufti has emphasized that such developments risk creating long-term insecurity among Kashmiri students pursuing education outside the region.
Questioning Omar Abdullah’s Role
A key element of Mehbooba Mufti’s criticism has been her reference to remarks made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shortly before the NMC decision.
She has questioned whether his public statement calling for the college’s closure influenced or coincided with the regulator’s action, arguing that the sequence of events raises legitimate questions about transparency and coordination.
Neither Omar Abdullah nor the NMC has publicly acknowledged any link between political statements and the regulatory decision.
Broader Implications Highlighted by the Row
The SMVDIME controversy has underscored several wider concerns:
1. Education as a Political Flashpoint
Medical education, already scarce in Jammu and Kashmir, has once again become entangled with regional and political rivalries.
2. Student Anxiety
Kashmiri students fear that the episode could stigmatize them in institutions across India, particularly amid rising polarization.
3. Governance and Transparency
The debate has raised questions about how regulatory failures are addressed, and whether accountability is being fixed for lapses that lead to drastic outcomes like course cancellations.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Reasi |
| Decision | NMC withdrew MBBS permission for 2025–26 |
| Admissions | 42 of 50 seats filled by Kashmiri Muslim students |
| Mehbooba Mufti’s Claim | Closure was pre-planned and communalised |
| Omar Abdullah | Remarks preceding NMC decision questioned |
| Core Concern | National precedent affecting Kashmiri students |
Why This Issue Matters
Beyond the immediate fate of one medical college, the SMVDIME episode reflects the fragile intersection of education, politics, and identity in Jammu and Kashmir. While regulators stress standards and compliance, political leaders view the fallout through lenses of trust, inclusion, and long-term impact on students.
As debates continue, the challenge for authorities will be to ensure that regulatory enforcement remains transparent and insulated from political interpretation, particularly in a region where such decisions rarely remain purely technical.
