Outfits associated with the Sangh Parivar have launched protests in the Jammu region demanding that the Katra-based Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Institute of Medical Excellence scrap the admission list for its first batch of students, as 90% of them are Muslims belonging to Kashmir.

BJP Udhampur MLA R S Pathania has supported the protests, spearheaded by the VHP and Bajrang Dal. Their main contention is that an institute set up with donations offered to the Vaishno Devi shrine should not be dominated by members of the Muslim community, and that seats be reserved for Hindus.

Under the rules, this is not possible as the Vaishnodevi medical institute is not classified as a minority institute.

The protests erupted after the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) cleared a list o

See Full Page