Communalising education will cost us generations, says Er Ehtisham
SRINAGAR: Er Ehtisham Khan,a prominent social & student-rights activist, on Thursday expressed grave concern over the recent decision of the National Medical Commission to withdraw recognition from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence.
While regulatory authorities have cited deficiencies relating to infrastructure, faculty and clinical exposure, the developments surrounding the institution over the past few months compel a deeper and more honest introspection, Er Khan said in a statement issued here.
He said, “What is deeply unsettling is the manner in which an educational institution — meant to nurture young minds and future doctors — was dragged into a divisive narrative, where religion and identity were allowed to overshadow merit, constitutional values and humanity. Educational spaces must remain neutral, inclusive and protected. Once communal considerations enter classrooms and admission halls, the damage inflicted on society is irreversible.”
Er Ehtisham Khan added, “Communalising education is one of the most brutal mistakes a society can make. The consequences may not be immediately visible, but they are devastating in the long run. When religion begins to dictate who deserves education and who does not, we weaken the very foundation of a democratic and pluralistic nation like India.”
Raising a serious and legitimate concern, he questioned the sequence of events leading to the derecognition. “If the institution was indeed lacking basic eligibility parameters, it is imperative to ask — we may ask the NMC, why was it granted recognition in the first place? And at a time when the institution was under intense communal scrutiny and public agitation, how are students expected to believe that the revocation was purely the outcome of a surprise inspection and not influenced, directly or indirectly, by the atmosphere of religious polarisation surrounding it?” he asked.
The student activist further emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir, in particular, has always been known for its hospitality, human values, brotherhood and shared cultural coexistence. “Our land has suffered enough. We cannot afford to let narrow politics tarnish our centuries-old legacy of communal harmony and mutual respect. Such practices bring a bad name not only to institutions but to the entire region,” he said.
Expressing deep anguish over the plight of students affected by the derecognition, Er Khan remarked that those admitted to the medical college earned their seats purely on merit, through hard work, sacrifice and years of preparation. “Today, these students and their families are pushed into uncertainty and emotional distress — not because of any fault of theirs, but due to systemic failures. Anyone who understands the pressure of medical entrance examinations can imagine the trauma they are being subjected to.”
He urged the authorities to ensure that all affected students are accommodated promptly, transparently and with dignity, without academic loss or psychological harassment. “Students must not be made collateral damage in administrative lapses or socio-political experimentation,” he asserted.
Placing the issue in a broader context, Er Ehtisham Khan noted that students of Jammu and Kashmir are already grappling with prolonged uncertainty, shrinking opportunities and policies that many perceive as unjust and exclusionary, particularly the prevailing reservation framework. “Incidents like these only add to the misery of a generation that is already struggling to secure its future,” he said.
In a strong appeal, Er Khan called upon all political leadership, cutting across party lines, to rise above ideological differences and unite against the dangerous trend of dividing people on the basis of religion — especially in education. “This is not a political issue; it is a moral one. Safeguarding education from communal influence is a collective responsibility. Silence today will cost us dearly tomorrow.”
He concluded by reiterating that education must remain a space of hope, merit and equality — not a battlefield for prejudice. “If we fail to protect our students and our institutions today, history will not be kind to us,” he warned.