SRINAGAR: Addressing the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the closure of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, saying the issue had been turned into a communal and political matter and urging that the institution be revived so that public investment does not go to waste.
Omar said more than Rs 300 crore had been invested in the medical college and argued that shutting it down had raised concerns among students and the public. He asked why the composition of students had been highlighted in a manner that, according to him, created divisions.
He said the institution should be restarted in some form, suggesting that granting it minority status could be one way to resume its functioning. The Chief Minister said infrastructure and resources created with public funds should be utilised for education rather than remaining defunct.
The first batch of the college consisted of 42 Muslim students, which became a topic of debate among political parties. Later, NMC said that the institution did not fulfil the requirements for a Medical College and revoked its letter of permission.
