A day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah lambasted BJP for ‘separate’ Jammu slogan that was heard after a long time, BJP general secretary (organisation) for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Ashok Koul has said the party is committed to ensuring quality education for students in the Union Territory and ruled out any move to divide Jammu and Kashmir on regional lines. He said separating Jammu was never in the party's agenda or part of ideology.
On reports and political speculation about separating Jammu from Kashmir or linking Jammu with other states, Koul said such views did not reflect the BJP’s official position. “This is not the thought of the BJP. It may be an individual’s opinion, but as of today, the BJP’s stand is clear,” he said.
He asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and reiterated that the BJP views the region as a single entity. “Jammu and Kashmir is Jammu and Kashmir, not Jammu and Kashmir separately. This is what the BJP has to say,” Koul said. Addressing allegations that Jammu and Kashmir suffered due to religious identity following the cancellation of registration of a medical college, Koul rejected the claims and said the decision was purely regulatory.
Responding to question over the cancellation of recognition of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College, Koul said there was no intention to “play with the future of children” and stressed that students should get admissions in different medical colleges within Jammu and Kashmir.The Medical Council’s Decision was Based Solely On Inspection Findings and Deficiencies in Infrastructure, With No Religious Or Political Considerations Involved, the BJP leader said.
“There is a law of the Medical Council. It is important that students who study in a medical college get a proper environment to study,” he said, adding that inspections had revealed serious shortcomings. According to Koul, inspection teams found lack of adequate infrastructure, including insufficient rooms, doctors and patients, which are essential for medical training.He said objections were raised by several people, following which a special team conducted a detailed inspection of the college and found irregularities. “Neither is it the work of any religious person nor of any political party. It is decided by the Medical Council,” Koul said.
He also pointed out that the same Medical Council had granted registration earlier, but assurances given at that time regarding infrastructure were not fulfilled.“If there is no infrastructure, then what is the point of studying there?” he asked, emphasising that the priority must be to ensure students become competent doctors through proper training and facilities.
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