‘Where will the constitution go?’: Omar Abdullah slams religion-based admissions in IIOJK
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly questioned the use of religion as a criterion in student admissions at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the SMVDIME was sanctioned 50 MBBS seats for the current academic year. Forty-two of the 50 seats were allotted to Muslim students on the basis of merit, sparking protests from right-wing Hindu groups and the BJP.
Referring to statements by the BJP leaders that students from Hindu backgrounds should have primary rights to admission because the institute is funded through donations at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Omar Abdullah said that “today, education is given the color of religion. Even in medical colleges, it is said that Muslims or non-Hindus should not study there.”
He added, “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?”
Earlier on Monday Omar Abdullah rejected the protests by Hindutva groups, reiterating that the selections were made purely on merit.
“The Constitution of the country does not provide admissions on the basis of religion. To date, the word ‘secular’ exists in our Constitution, and if you don’t want to maintain the secular character of India, then the ‘secular’ word should be deleted, and you can do what you want.” He added, “If tomorrow the government begins taking decisions based on religion, what will happen to social welfare schemes, will ration be distributed on the basis of religion and will policemen perform their duty on the basis of religion.”
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