Mob cannot have the last word at KGMU

Context & The Gist

The article addresses the recent incidents at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Jammu, where allegations of religious conversion and protests over student composition led to disruptions and, in the case of SMVDIME, closure. The central argument is that these events represent a worrying pattern of communalizing educational institutions, undermining the principles of secularism and equality guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

Key Arguments & Nuances

• The KGMU incident, involving a junior doctor’s arrest and subsequent mob action led by a political leader, mirrors the SMVDIME situation where protests over the majority-Muslim student body led to the college’s shutdown.
• The NMC’s justification for closing SMVDIME – infrastructural shortcomings – is viewed as a pretext, with the real motive being the religious composition of the students.

• The article highlights a growing climate of impunity where individuals and organizations feel emboldened to disrupt educational spaces based on religious prejudices.
• The incidents pose a threat to the core values of a constitutional democracy, including freedom of religion and equal opportunity.

UPSC Syllabus Relevance

• GS Paper II: Polity and Governance – Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector services (Education).
• GS Paper II: Polity and Governance – Role of civil society organizations and media in promoting good governance.
• GS Paper I: Indian Society – Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Prelims Data Bank

• Article 25 (Constitution of India): Guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
• National Medical Commission (NMC): The regulatory body for medical education and professionals in India, established in 2020.
• SMVDIME: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, Katra, Jammu.

Mains Critical Analysis

The incidents at KGMU and SMVDIME expose a critical gap between constitutional principles and ground realities in India. The attempts to communalize educational spaces represent a significant challenge to the nation’s secular fabric and its commitment to inclusive education.

Challenges

• Erosion of Secularism: The targeting of students and institutions based on religious identity undermines the secular foundations of the Indian state.
• Impunity and Lack of Accountability: The absence of strong legal action against perpetrators emboldens extremist groups and creates a climate of fear.
• Impact on Educational Quality: Disruptions and biases in admissions can compromise the quality of education and hinder the development of a skilled workforce.

Opportunities

• Reinforcing Constitutional Values: These incidents provide an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of secularism, equality, and religious freedom.
• Strengthening Regulatory Mechanisms: The NMC and other regulatory bodies need to be more proactive in protecting educational institutions from external interference.
• Promoting Inclusive Education: Efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in educational institutions can foster a more tolerant and harmonious society.

Value Addition

• S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India (1994): This landmark SC judgment emphasized the importance of secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution.
• Right to Education Act, 2009: While focused on access to education, the Act implicitly promotes inclusivity and non-discrimination.

Context & Linkages

The SMVDIME case, as detailed in the linked article, provides crucial context to the KGMU incident. Both cases demonstrate a pattern of prioritizing religious considerations over academic merit and institutional autonomy. The earlier article highlighted the questionable justification offered by the NMC for shutting down SMVDIME, suggesting a deliberate attempt to cater to communal sentiments. This reinforces the argument that the KGMU incident is not an isolated event but part of a broader trend of communalizing educational spaces in India.

The Way Forward

• Strict Enforcement of Law: Ensure swift and decisive action against individuals and groups involved in disrupting educational institutions and inciting communal tensions.
• Strengthening Institutional Autonomy: Protect educational institutions from political interference and allow them to function independently.
• Promoting Awareness and Dialogue: Foster a culture of tolerance and understanding through educational programs and public awareness campaigns.
• Review NMC Guidelines: The NMC should revisit its guidelines to ensure they prioritize merit and inclusivity, and prevent the use of flimsy pretexts to justify discriminatory actions.