Retired Colonel Sukhbir Singh Mankotia, convener of the Sangarsh Samiti and associated with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), on Monday addressed a press conference in Jammu’s Geeta Bhawan over allegations of irregularities in admissions to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College. He raised concerns after 42 out of 50 MBBS seats were reportedly allotted to students from a single community, calling it “injustice” and announcing that district-level committees have been formed to launch an agitation. Mankotia also criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks on the issue, stating that he disagreed with the CM’s understanding of the matter.

It is pertinent to mention that to address the issue of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College (SMVDIME), a Sangarsh Samiti was formed in Jammu. The decision in this regard was taken during a meeting called by the Shri Sanatan Dharma Sabha (SSDS), which was attended by 60 different social, community, business and religious organisations.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Sabha’s president, Purushottam Dadhichi.
Retired Colonel Sukhbir Singh Mankotia was unanimously elected as the Sangrash Samiti’s convener.
Speaking on the occasion, Purushottam Dadhichi said, “A meeting of various organizations of the city had been organized because widespread opposition had emerged in society after students from a single particular community were selected for 42 out of the 50 MBBS seats in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College.”

“All the group leaders shared the opinion that a struggle was necessary for a lasting solution to this issue and therefore, by consensus, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangrash Samiti was formed,” he added.
All the leaders of the organisations present at the meeting assured that they would fully support every decision taken by the Sangrash Samiti. Everyone pledged that no effort would be spared in making this movement successful.