Jammu, November 23,2025 : Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan on Friday evening to raise concerns over the recent MBBS admissions at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, an institution under the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board .
Sharma conveyed that the admission process has sparked widespread resentment among devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi and sections of the Hindu community, who believe the selection this year has overlooked cultural sensitivities linked to the Shrine Board–managed institution. He informed the LG that the selection of a significant number of non-Hindu candidates has led to public discontent, prompting calls for greater consideration of the spiritual and cultural expectations associated with SMVDIME.
The LoP emphasized that the issue is not merely administrative or academic but deeply tied to faith, sentiment, and public trust. He urged the Lieutenant Governor to review the admission criteria, strengthen transparency, and factor in the sentiments of devotees who hold the Shrine Board and its institutions in high esteem.
Sharma was accompanied by BJP MLAs Sham Lal Sharma, Surjeet Singh Salathia, Dr. Devinder Manyal, and R.S. Pathania. The delegation reiterated the BJP’s commitment to addressing public concerns and protecting the cultural and religious sentiments of Hindu devotees in particular. They appealed for the LG’s intervention to ensure corrective measures that would restore confidence in the ongoing admission process at SMVDIME.
Highlighting the importance of the Shrine Board’s institutions, Sharma said they are not just centres of learning but also symbols of Jammu & Kashmir’s cultural, spiritual, and social identity. Any decision that appears to disregard public sentiment, he noted, could have broader societal implications and emotional impact.
The delegation requested the Lieutenant Governor to take immediate steps to address the grievances expressed by devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi and ensure that the functioning of SMVDIME remains aligned with public expectations and the sanctity associated with the
