Jammu and Kashmir, especially its winter capital Jammu, has always stood as a symbol of brotherhood, tolerance, and communal harmony. Yet today, it finds itself at a crossroads. In recent days, several issues have been deliberately given a communal colour, threatening to disturb the social fabric that has long been the pride of this region. This trend is deeply concerning and poses a grave challenge to the values that define Jammu’s identity.
The controversy surrounding the admission of Muslim students to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University’s medical college on the basis of NEET merit has sparked unnecessary tension. Certain sections of the Hindu community have expressed resentment, arguing that since the shrine’s donations largely come from Hindu devotees, Hindu students should be given preference. However, such reasoning undermines the very foundation of merit-based education. Admission to professional institutions must be determined by competence and qualification, not by religious identity. The silence of the Shrine Board and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on the matter has unfortunately allowed confusion and suspicion to grow. A transparent clarification and confidence-building communication are urgently needed.
Similarly, another controversy has emerged over an alleged altercation between a Deputy Superintendent of Police and a JKAS officer serving as Block Development Officer (BDO) Nagrota. The incident, captured on video, has been blown out of proportion and given a communal twist. Turning an administrative or disciplinary issue into a religious dispute is an alarming and regressive trend. Such polarization of routine matters only deepens social divides and damages Jammu’s long-standing legacy of peace and coexistence.
Jammu has always been known as a place “where the lion and the lamb drank from the same well.” This poetic expression reflects a living reality — a shared culture where people of different faiths have lived and thrived together for centuries. To inject religious hatred into this soil is to betray its very soul. At a time when external forces are actively trying to destabilize India, internal discord and communal provocation only serve their interests.
The recent Delhi Red Fort blast case and reports of alleged involvement of doctors from Kashmir are indeed serious matters that deserve thorough investigation and punishment for the guilty. Yet, it is equally essential to remember that the actions of a few misguided or criminal individuals cannot be generalized to an entire community. Blaming an entire society for the sins of a few only strengthens the hands of those who wish to see India divided.
In such times, the responsibility of the government, civil society, media, and common citizens increases manifold. Every issue must be examined with fairness, patience, and rationality — not through the lens of religion. Law, justice, and mutual respect must guide our approach.
The real strength of Jammu and Kashmir lies in its composite culture — a living example of India’s Ganga-Jamuni heritage. Preserving this legacy is not just a moral duty but a national imperative. Let us, therefore, resist the forces that seek to divide us and instead rekindle the flame of trust, unity, and love — for it is only through harmony that our peace and progress can truly endure.DD
