Jammu, Jan 7, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the National Medical Commission to withdraw recognition of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Reasi, asserting that the action was taken strictly on professional and regulatory grounds.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, J and K BJP President and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sat Sharma, accompanied by party general secretaries, said the issue had triggered sustained protests in Jammu over concerns related to admissions and the functioning of the medical college.
Sharma said several social organisations had raised objections and alleged shortcomings at the institution, prompting scrutiny by the medical regulator. He said the National Medical Commission acted after receiving multiple complaints regarding the availability of essential facilities required for quality medical education and clinical training.
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Referring to the inspection conducted by a team from the Medical Assessment and Rating Board on January 2, Sharma said the assessment highlighted serious gaps. He claimed the report pointed to major shortages in teaching staff and residents, inadequate outpatient attendance, low bed occupancy, insufficient clinical exposure, and other deficiencies that fall short of mandatory norms prescribed for medical colleges.
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He said the findings made it clear that the institution did not meet the minimum criteria required for running a medical college. “Medical education and patient safety cannot be compromised. Regulatory standards exist for a reason, and they must be enforced uniformly,” Sharma said.
The BJP leader said the party is grateful to the Union leadership, including BJP National President and Union Minister J P Nadda, for what he described as guidance in ensuring that students’ futures are protected. He said students who had already secured admission would be accommodated in other functional medical colleges, in addition to their existing intake capacity.
Sharma thanked the National Medical Commission for what he termed a timely and decisive intervention, saying the regulator acted objectively and in accordance with established norms. He said derecognition of medical colleges is a routine regulatory process across the country whenever institutions fail to meet required standards.
Rejecting allegations of political or religious motivation, Sharma said the BJP did not view the matter through the prism of religion. “Some parties attempted to give the issue a different colour, but our stand has remained confined to facts, norms, and public interest,” he said.
He also appreciated the role of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and urged him to examine any further irregularities, if present, not only in this institution but also in other similar establishments. [KNT] [KNT]
