Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday strongly criticized the closure of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College in Reasi, accusing the BJP of celebrating what he described as the destruction of Jammu’s educational and healthcare future.
Talking to reporters, Choudhary said the decision to halt admissions at the medical college has dealt a serious blow to the region and raised troubling questions about priorities in governance.
“The BJP is celebrating not an achievement, but the destruction of Jammu. They must answer the people and future generations why this medical college was closed,” he said.
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The Deputy Chief Minister said the institution was established by the government to strengthen medical education and healthcare infrastructure in the region, not as a concession demanded by any group. “This college was given by the government for the benefit of the people. It was meant to serve students and patients alike,” he said.
Choudhary pointed out that the college had started with 50 MBBS seats and was poised for expansion in the coming years. “These were 50 seats today, which could have increased next year. Instead of growth, we are witnessing regression,” he said.
Accusing the BJP of acting against public interest, the Deputy Chief Minister said the party’s response to the closure reflects an anti-people and anti-Jammu mindset. “Rejoicing over the shutdown of a medical college is not politics. It is naked destruction of Jammu’s future,” he said.
He said the closure has deprived aspiring students of opportunities and weakened the region’s healthcare potential, calling for accountability and a reassessment of the decision in the larger public interest. (KNT)
