SMVDU admission process fair, stop communalising campus issues: Hakeem Yaseen

Srinagar, Nov 25: President of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Tuesday said the ongoing row over admissions at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) is “unwarranted and politically motivated,” asserting that the university’s admission process is “fair, transparent and merit-based.” Hakeem said attempts by certain groups to give the issue a communal colour were dangerous and unacceptable. “Action should be taken against those who are trying to communalise this matter. It is against the principles and values of our country,” he said.

Yaseen praised the SMVDU administration for conducting admissions strictly on merit.

“We congratulate the university administration. They have done the process fairly, without bias. Some people are making this an issue for no reason. It should not matter which community a student belongs to—capable children must be encouraged, not discouraged,” he said.

The former minister said Jammu and Kashmir has long been a model of communal harmony, and any attempt to disturb that social fabric—especially through educational controversies- could have long-term consequences. “Communalising education harms society and future generations. We must not allow such divisive politics to take root,” he added.