Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone on Sunday articulated a trenchant critique of what he characterized as a perilous attempt to “communalise medical sciences” in the controversy surrounding students admitted to the Medical School of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.
PC Chief contended that the emerging discourse represented a profoundly troubling politicization of one of the nation’s most rigorous and merit-based disciplines.
“This is too much of a stretch. The BJP is now experimenting with the concept of communalising medical sciences,” he said, urging a return to constitutional norms and academic integrity.
Emphasizing that medical admissions operate under a uniform national framework, he noted that “there is a proper admission test called NEET. And that is an All India test.”
Lone underscored that the young men and women who secure positions in medical colleges nationwide do so through merit alone. “The finest brains in the country sit that exam and those who get selected work hard to become a doctor. And then these doctors serve people, treat them, perform surgeries.”
He proceeded to describe the extensive trajectory of scientific dedication that propels medical innovation. “The finest brains go even further. They become a part of research. They dedicate their lives to research. They come up with newer ideas to defeat diseases. They sit in labs experimenting all their lives,” he said, invoking the decades of advancement that have revolutionized global healthcare.
“Look at how medical science has evolved over the last few decades… the MRI machine, the CT scan,” he added.
Lone observed that the political trivialization of such a distinguished discipline constituted an affront to generations of scientists. “The scientists who made all this possible will turn in their graves when they find out that medicine has been relegated to a group of undereducated political leaders miring a subject as noble as medicine into communalism.”
Advocating for elevated standards of leadership in public discourse, PC President remarked with measured clarity: “How I wish a basic level of IQ be made imperative and a prerequisite for being a part of public life.”
He maintained that India should be pursuing global prominence in medical research, rather than retreating into divisive rhetoric.
“India as a country should be joining forces with other countries in the field of research. We haven’t been able to contribute as much to medical sciences as was expected from us,” he said.
Lone concluded by advocating for a national orientation toward excellence, innovation and scientific temperament. “We need to get the best brains and enable a culture of research and innovation. Medical science needs researchers, not religious zealots.”
