"Need to think of injustice to students," Omar Abdullah criticises decision to stop MBBS course at Mata Vaishno Devi Institute

Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 8 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday has criticised the decision to withdraw permission for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence to conduct an MBBS course.
Abdullah stated that students have passed the NEET exam and have merit and it is the state's responsibility to accommodate them at a medical college near their homes to minimise disruption.
"The students have passed the NEET exam and have merit. It is now our responsibility to accommodate them, and we will accommodate them in a medical college near their homes so that they are not affected. But we need to think about the injustice done to the students by closing this medical college. People all over the country are struggling to get into medical colleges. Ours is the only place where a fully functional medical college has been shut down," Omar Abdullah told reporters.
The National Medical Commission's Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) had withdrawn the Letter of Permission (LoP) granted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, Kakryal, Reasi (Jammu & Kashmir), for running the MBBS course with 50 seats for the academic year 2025-26. The decision, dated January 6 took immediate effect and follows serious findings about non-compliance with minimum standards during a surprise inspection, NMC officials stated.
Meanwhile, the JK CM also inaugurated the e-pathshala in Jammu, asserting that the platform can help change lives of many children if used correctly.
Abdullah also congratulated the other state ministers, education department and dignitaries present on the occasion.
"Today, in the true sense, we are using technology to provide education. On my behalf, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the School Education Department, my cabinet colleagues, their Commissioner Secretary, and all of you on taking this step today. If used correctly, it can truly transform the lives of children," Abdullah said.
Furthermore, the Jammu and Kashmir CM added that e-pathshala cannot replace classrooms, asserting that the initiative is meant to supplement education and fill existing gaps.
"However, as the Chief Secretary rightly said, this e-Pathshala is not meant to replace the classroom. A classroom and its teacher can never be replaced. This initiative is meant to supplement education and to fill existing gaps. I sincerely hope that the day never comes when we try to educate children without teachers," he said. (ANI)