Jammu, Dec 27: The Shiv Sena (UBT) has renewed its demand for a lasting resolution to the ongoing dispute surrounding the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College, calling for an amendment to the governing law and minority status for Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the media at Indra Chowk in Jammu, Manish Sahni, president of the Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir unit, said the issue could be resolved through coordinated action by the Centre and the government led by Omar Abdullah. He warned that the region was once again being pushed towards agitation due to what he described as a sensitive matter tied to religious sentiments.
Sahni alleged that vested interests were quietly stoking unrest over the dispute related to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College. He said that despite the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019, no steps were taken to amend the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Act to safeguard the interests of the Hindu community. He further claimed that during the formation of the Shrine Board, leaders of the ruling party did not raise the issue in the Legislative Assembly.
Calling for immediate action, Sahni said amending the University Act and granting minority status to Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir was the only way to ensure a durable settlement. He urged the Lieutenant Governor to use constitutional powers under Article 174 to convene a session of the Legislative Assembly and press legislators to pass a resolution granting minority status to the university and revising the Act.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also demanded that the Central Government set up a Minority Commission for Jammu and Kashmir and formally recognise Hindus as a minority in the Union Territory, stating that such measures were necessary to prevent further unrest and bring clarity to the issue.
