Merit punished as bias rewarded: Shabbir Ali on SMVDIME

Hyderabad: Telangana Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir criticised the BJP-led Central government over the derecognition of the MBBS programme at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence. He described the decision as targeted and unjust. He also alleged growing institutional bias.

While addressing a gathering in Kamareddy on Tuesday, Shabbir Ali said the January 7 decision by the National Medical Commission had no link to infrastructure issues. Instead, he claimed the action targeted the religious identity of students admitted on merit.

According to him, 50 students secured admission through NEET-based counselling by the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations. Of them, 42 were Muslims, seven Hindus, and one Sikh. He stressed that authorities confirmed all admissions strictly on merit.

SMVDIME derecognition exposes institutional bias

Shabbir Ali alleged that protests by right-wing groups influenced the regulatory action. He named the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal. He said their demands for religious preference violated constitutional equality.

Moreover, he said the timing of the inspection raised serious concerns. It followed protests over the merit list’s demographic composition. Since no one could legally challenge merit, he alleged authorities used technical grounds to cancel recognition.

Linking the issue to a wider pattern, Shabbir Ali said recent policies increasingly marginalise Muslims. He warned that data-driven portals could later control Waqf properties, mosques, and graveyards under the guise of regulation.

Therefore, he urged the community to prepare instead of remaining silent. He called for stronger investment in faith and education, especially in rural areas. He also praised the Tahaffuz-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwwath Trust for supporting village imams and learning centres.

Reflecting on his earlier work in Kamareddy, he recalled setting up a community graveyard. He said it played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he proposed funeral facilities near mosques in dense urban areas.

Finally, Shabbir Ali warned against election-time communal distractions like name-changing campaigns. He said such moves ignore unemployment and education. He credited Congress governments in Telangana and Karnataka with protecting minority rights and called for unity, awareness, and practical action.