In the very recent row on the admission to various medical courses at SMVDU has caught the eye of every educated person and intellectual community in particular. My mind also was propelled towards the said issue after watching certain videos circulated by various news wires and some media channels wherein some communal minded people were demanding not to allow Muslim candidates for taking admission and claiming that the said university has been raised for a particular community and not for general public. Perhaps those illiterate persons that might be politically motivated don’t know the university profile reads as having been established under an Act of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly -1999. And it receives funds partly from SMDV shrine board and partly from Jammu and Kashmir. The university has recently received a grant of Rs. 20 crore under the PM-USHA scheme from the govt. of India. And Rs. 10 crore grant for a research project through the ANRF-PAIR program with IIT Roper. Other funding sources include SMVD shrine board, Jammu and Kashmir govt. and University Grants Commission. PM-USHA grant is a grant from the Ministry Of Education, Govt. of India for the grant to strengthen Universities (GSU) component of the P.M Shri etc.
In a democratic set up, we are justified in denying admission to the students on the pretext of cast, creed, Colour and community. As the institutions run by Jammu and Kashmir Waqaf Board can’t deny the admission to Non-Muslim students for the funding is raised by Muslim community. Because, the constitution of country has specific provisions in this regard. The move against Muslim students’ admission seems to be more politically motivated and less judicially justified. And it is obvious that the said politicians are trying to divide the society on religious lines. And the said move can be easily challenged in the court of justice. And I am sure that these communal minded people will be defeated there and they shall have no logical excuse to produce before the court.
I would like to intervene in the matter to the effect that if Muslim students are denied admission at SMVDU, then how far the Hindus are justified in getting admission at BGBSU, IUST and other such universities that are not fully funded by govt like the university in concurrence at present. But the justice says that to deny admission to a student is the cheapest form of tactics and moral degradation. On the one hand, these so called nationalist say that Muslims must educate their children so that they come out of the orthodoxy and dogmatism. And on the other hand they demand cancellation of admission to Muslims students at SMVDU and that too for the medical courses which can produce many well versed doctors and who in future can serve the nation in the most effective way. History reveals that there is a considerable number of Hindus Scholars who have had their research in Islamic theology, History and philosophy. Then why should there be the scholars of such type. At the same time we have many Muslims scholars who have had their research in Vedic Philosophy and Hindu Religion etc.
So, communalizing education may take us back to the prehistoric times when people would not know what the religion in real terms means and what the implications it has. My ingenuity compels me to say that such ill minded people backed by some political parties wish to push us back to the dark era so that the people are in an illusion about the religion and they are put in the chaos and confusion so that the reasoning faculty of the public stops working and these political goons may well utilize the situation.
Every religion has its own parameters that undoubtedly vary in respect of them. But that doesn’t mean there is any conflict and controversy among the people. An institution should be free from religious corner and whosoever deserves occupancy within the capacity must be duly regarded based on some criteria laid by the competent authority around which the institution revolves. The public sentiments based on religion are to be avoided as the institution has its own parameters to decide the selection and other criteria. Based on this argument if there is some problem between the two groups of the society, it should not get reflected in the department and especially an institution which is considered to be what makes other departments functional and living.
So, this is a matter of concern for all the stake holders like Parents, Students, and academicians as well as for intellectual sphere. And especially for the students whose career has been put at the stake. The intellectual community, social activists, NGOs, Professors and administrators must come forward with a voice to highlight the essence democratic principles inside an academic institution. Religious scholars from both Hindu and Muslim community should come forward with a joint consensus to the effect that this disparity be ended prior to it further enlarges and its relative effects in public institutions and academic institutions are seen visibly. The Bar Association at Honorable High court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh must come with a stand on this issue and put the matter on the table of Chief Justice of the said court so that justice prevails and the deserving ones don’t suffer for the fault they have not done. Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir must intervene in the matter that he takes meet with the university authorities and ensure that the said students are not deprived of their fundamental right otherwise it will have adverse repercussions on the students folk form both the communities. Last but not least, public herself must come forward in this regard and refute the said petty policies of those who are politically motivated and have nothing to do with the interest of respective community. At the end of this write up I would like to appeal to the people to take a serious note of the said move and face with it with a brave heart, witty and sharp mind combined with worriers courage.

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