A significant controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir following the National Medical Commission's (NMC) decision on January 6, 2026, to revoke the Letter of Permission (LoP) for the MBBS course at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Reasi. The NMC officially stated that the withdrawal was due to the college's failure to meet minimum standards, citing extensive deficiencies in infrastructure, faculty strength, and clinical material, which were identified during a surprise inspection on January 2, 2026. However, this regulatory action occurred amidst widespread protests by various right-wing Hindu organizations, including the Sangharsh Samiti, who objected to the admission of 42 Muslim students out of a total of 50 in the college's inaugural MBBS batch. These groups alleged religious bias and questioned the use of funds from the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which partly funds the college, for an institution admitting a majority of non-Hindu students. In response to the NMC's decision, Tanvir Sadiq, a ruling National Conference MLA, submitted a private member's resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on January 17, 2026, urging the Central government and the NMC to immediately review and reconsider the withdrawal of the LoP. Political figures like Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, have defended the admissions as merit-based, while the BJP in Jammu welcomed the NMC's decision, framing it as a victory for quality standards. Crucially, the NMC has assured that the 50 students already admitted will not suffer academically and will be transferred to other recognized government medical colleges within the Union Territory as supernumerary seats, ensuring the continuity of their education. This developing story highlights complex intersections of education, regulatory oversight, regional politics, and communal sentiments in Jammu and Kashmir.