A fiery scene unfolded in Jammu's Ramban district on November 26, 2025, when the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti took to the streets, demanding that all MBBS seats at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) in Katra be reserved for Hindu students. The protest came after the recent MBBS admission list showed 42 Muslim candidates securing seats, while Hindus got only seven, and one Sikh also joined the ranks. Retired Subedar Major Surinder Singh Jamwal, president of the Sangharsh Samiti Ramban, made the protest’s stand crystal clear: “Money for varsity is donated by those affiliated to Sanathan Dharam and should benefit our own people.” He emphasized that their fight wasn’t against any community but against the university’s policy, which they say fails to reserve seats for donors connected to the shrine. Adding fuel to the fire, the BJP also rallied in Jammu, submitting a memorandum to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha demanding the cancellation of the NEET selection list. BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi said, “Since the varsity is run on the donations given at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine so Hindu students have primary right. The rights of the students who have got admission will be secured.” BJP MP Ghulam Ali Khatana explained the party’s view, stating, “Two things are important. One is merit, and the other is the fact that around 70% of the people here belong to a particular community, so they naturally choose that option. Apart from that, if an institution is associated with any faith, that factor also matters and should be taken into consideration. There is no Hindu-Muslim angle in this.” Meanwhile, the scene took a sharp turn when Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke out strongly against the idea of admission based on religion. Addressing a gathering at Jamia Zia Ul Uloom in Poonch, he warned, “Even in medical colleges, it is said that Muslims or non-Hindus should not study here. Now, we will put aside the merits of the children and start making decisions on the basis of religion. Where will the constitution of the country go?” He praised the Jamia Uloom as a symbol of merit and constitutional values. “The institution and its head, Maulana Ghulam Qadir Sahib, had supported the government in maintaining community harmony and had assisted during natural disasters. Students from the institute have succeeded in competitive exams such as UPSC, KAS, and KPS,” the CM said. The battle over admission policies at SMVDU has ignited strong feelings on all sides, with communities passionate about their rights and the very definition of fairness in education hanging in the balance.