Article:
A disturbing trend has emerged in India, where the extremist ideology of the ruling government is not only affecting the country’s politics but also the education sector. The latest example of this is the shutdown of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute (SMVDMI) in occupied Kashmir, where a majority of the Muslim students were facing the wrath of right-wing Hindu organizations.
According to a report by the international media, the decision to shut down the college was taken when a majority of the Muslim students cleared their first MBBS batch. The Indian National Medical Commission revoked the college’s approval on January 6, citing that the institution did not meet the basic standards of teaching staff, hospital facilities, and patient numbers. However, the next day, the college was allowed to reopen, but the approval was withdrawn.
The college had 50 students in its first batch, with 42 Muslims, 7 Hindus, and 1 Sikh student. The admissions were made through a competitive exam, NEET, which is based on a secular system. The right-wing Hindu organizations claimed that the presence of Muslim students in the college was unacceptable since it was affiliated with the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Trust.
The protesters, backed by the Hindu organizations, demanded that the college be shut down, and the administration was put under pressure. On the other hand, the Chief Minister of occupied Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, announced that the affected students would be adjusted in other medical colleges in the region, ensuring that their future is not affected. He also condemned the campaign to shut down the college, stating that the students’ future was being jeopardized.
The student organizations reacted strongly, saying that the move to divide education on the basis of religion was a dangerous trend. “The students had merited their seats, but their hard work has been linked to their religion,” they said.
Meanwhile, the world is witnessing other significant developments:
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* The US has expressed strong disapproval of Canada’s decision to allow Chinese electric vehicles into the country, warning that Canada will regret its decision.
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* Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has undergone a medical checkup at a hospital in Riyadh.
* US President Trump has claimed that no undocumented immigrants have entered the US in the past 8 months, and those who try to do so will be stopped.
* A disturbing incident has come to light in India, where a Muslim man was beaten to death by right-wing Hindu groups who forced him to chant “Jai Shri Ram.”
* The US has announced that immigrant visa applications will be put on hold until the applicants have undergone a complete background check.
* Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that relations with Russia are mutually beneficial in real terms.
* A 35-year-old Muslim man was killed in a brutal attack by right-wing Hindu groups in Balasore, Odisha, India.
* The US has expressed strong disapproval of Canada’s decision to allow Chinese electric vehicles into the country, warning that Canada will regret its decision.
* Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has said that his former teammates Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag are far richer than him.
* Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has wished his wife, Sania Javed, on their second wedding anniversary, expressing his love and affection for her.
