LoP Sunil Sharma led delegation, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma call on LG
Jammu, Nov 22: Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Sunil Sharma, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly, also called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, He was accompanied by Members of Legislative Assembly- Sham Lal Sharma, Surjit Singh Slathia, Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal and Ranbir Singh Pathania, said a press release.
Meanwhile, Sunil Sharma conveyed concerns to LG Sinha regarding the recent MBBS admissions at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), an institution functioning under the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Accompanied by a delegation of BJP MLAs, Sharma expressed strong reservations over the selection process. He stated that the admissions triggered widespread anger among devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi and sections of the larger Hindu community. He conveyed to the Lieutenant Governor that the selection of a large number of non-Hindu students caused distress among many devotees.
Sharma emphasised that, according to public sentiment, the issue involved not only academic considerations but also cultural sensitivities and faith-related expectations associated with institutions linked to Mata Vaishno Devi. During the meeting, Sharma urged to review the admission criteria, enhance transparency, and appropriately factor in the sentiments of the Hindu community. He called for an approach that acknowledges the expectations of the devotees who support the Shrine Board managed institutions.
The LoP reiterated the BJP’s commitment to safeguarding the cultural and religious sentiments of the people, Hindu devotees in particular. The delegation appealed to the LG to intervene and take necessary measures to address public grievances and restore confidence in the admission process. Highlighting the significance of the Shrine Board and its institutions, LoP said that these bodies were not merely educational establishments but also represented the region’s cultural and spiritual identity. “Any decision perceived as disregarding the sentiments of devotees can have broader social and emotional repercussions,” he noted. The delegation urged the Lieutenant Governor to take immediate steps to address the concerns raised by devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi.
