Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday (December 2, 2025) defended merit-based admissions to the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), saying seats cannot be distributed on the basis of religion under the Constitution.
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"When the decision was taken to set up a medical college at the university, it was already known that seats could not be distributed on the basis of religion. Approval was granted on the basis of NEET. The only criterion of NEET is merit," Mr. Abdullah told reporters here.
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The National Conference leader, who was on his way to Jammu via Poonch and Rajouri from Srinagar, said those who secured admission through NEET are now being punished because of their religion. "Neither the law nor the Constitution permits this, nor does the policy of the university allow denial of admission on this basis." Mr. Abdullah criticised attempts to seek religious segregation in admissions at the college, asserting that merit alone determines selection.
