Archive · 29 Nov 2025
Controversy over Muslim-majority admissions at Hindu-funded medical institute
There's a big argument about a new medical school in India.
The school, called Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, was built with money donated by Hindu followers.
But when they announced the first group of students, most of them were Muslim.
This made some Hindu leaders upset because they thought the school should give more spots to Hindu students.
A news website called The Wire wrote an article saying the school gets money from the local government, which is mostly Muslim.
But other people say that's not true—the school's money comes from Hindu donations, not the government.
They're also asking why the school didn't make special rules to give more spots to Hindu students, like some Muslim schools do.
It's a complicated situation with people on both sides arguing about what's fair.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) was built with Rs 600 crore from Hindu devotee donations.
Out of 50 MBBS seats, 42 were allocated to Muslim students, 7 to Hindus, and 1 to a Sikh in the first admission list.
The Wire claimed SMVDIME received Rs 121.30 crore in grants-in-aid from the Jammu and Kashmir government, but this funding was for the affiliated Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), not SMVDIME.
SMVDIME operates independently under the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and did not receive any government funding for its establishment or operations.
Hindu leaders and organizations have criticized the admission process, calling it discriminatory and demanding a review.
- Who
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Hindu and Muslim students, Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE), The Wire
- What
- Controversy over the majority of MBBS seats being allocated to Muslim students at a Hindu-funded medical institute
- When
- 26th November (article publication), November 2023 (SMVDIME became operational)
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Why
- Disproportionate representation of Muslim students in the first MBBS admission list, despite the institute being funded by Hindu devotee donations
Hindu Leaders and Organizations
Muslim Students and Supporters
Admission Process Fairness
Hindu Leaders and Organizations
The admission process is discriminatory and unfair, as it does not prioritize Hindu students despite the institute being funded by Hindu devotee donations.
Muslim Students and Supporters
The admission process is fair and based on merit, as students were selected based on their performance in the NEET exam.
Institute Funding
Hindu Leaders and Organizations
The institute should have special rules to give more spots to Hindu students, similar to how some Muslim schools do.
Muslim Students and Supporters
The institute's funding source does not dictate the admission criteria, and merit should be the sole basis for selection.
- Institute Name
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME)
- Total MBBS Seats
- 50
- Muslim Students Selected
- 42
- Hindu Students Selected
- 7
- Sikh Students Selected
- 1
- Institute Funding
- Hindu devotee donations (Rs 600 crore)
- SMVDU Grants-in-Aid
- Rs 121.30 crore (2017-2025)
- SMVDIME Funding Source
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
