Muslim students at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College in Jammu's Katra are shocked and anxious after the MBBS course was suspended. Many students have started to leave the campus. This happened even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Narayana Superspeciality Hospital connected with the college. Aleena, one of the students migrating, said, "We are unable to believe that the college with such infrastructure stands closed. It offered up-to-the-mark facilities in every aspect. One of the best medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir stands closed." The college admitted 42 Muslim students out of 50 MBBS seats for its first batch in late 2024. This sparked protests by Hindu groups and BJP, who raised the issue with J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had approved the college with plans to grow from 50 to 100 seats. In January 2026, the National Medical Commission (NMC) made a surprise visit and withdrew its earlier approval. The NMC cited "inadequacy in faculty strength, clinical material and infrastructure" as reasons. Another student called the decision "reckless." Staff at the hospital said their expert doctors help other medical colleges in the Jammu region. The Board highlighted its facility, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, which Prime Minister Modi opened in April 2016. It has 417 beds across many basic and super-speciality departments and 121 doctors on staff. The Board had proposed expanding medical courses and student hostels. The student wing of the ruling National Conference (NC) protested in Jammu, demanding the MBBS course be restored. An NC leader said, "Distributing sweets and playing music on closure of a medical college shows intellectual bankruptcy." Protesters said the college closure harms students and local healthcare, warning it should not be driven by political or regional divides. The future of aspiring medical students and healthcare facilities in Jammu and Kashmir remains uncertain as the suspension continues.