SMVDIME row: Admission on basis of religion to vitiate atmosphere: Mehbooba

Jammu, Dec 5: People Democratic Party (PDP) president and the former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Friday stated that the admission row in SMVDIME was unfortunate and if the religion was made admission criterion instead of merit, it would vitiate atmosphere across the country.

“Mufti Sahib, as the Chief Minister, had donated land for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU). Merit was the criterion for admission,” she said.

PDP president, who travelled in Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express for the first time, was responding to media queries in Katra. She described her travel experience as “very heart-warming.”

“It was very beautiful. Felt good as the distance was covered in three hours. This (Katra) is the abode of Mata Vaishno Devi. Earlier during my college days, I used to frequently visit this place. I used to visit the shrine also. All those cherished memories were refreshed,” she said.