Jammu, Nov 22: The Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir unit today demanded that local Hindu students be given priority in all educational institutions run by their community, and called for the establishment of a Minority Commission to safeguard Hindu interests in the region.

A delegation led by State President Manish Sahni submitted a memorandum to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Sahni stated that Hindus are a minority in Jammu and Kashmir but do not have official minority status and have been deprived of related benefits for more than 75 years. Even after the abrogation of Article 370, a Minority Commission has not been formed in Jammu and Kashmir, unlike other states.

Sahni raised concern over the admission of students from other communities to institutions like the Vaishno Devi medical college, funded by donations from Hindu devotees. He described this as ignoring Hindu rights and sentiments. He emphasized that Hindus have the primary right to institutions run by their contributions and called for reservations for economically disadvantaged Hindus.

The memorandum included a demand for the Shrine Board to reserve seats and provide free coaching for NEET, JEE, and UPSC for Hindu students. The party criticized the silence of BJP leaders and the Shrine Board on these matters, which has led to growing anger among Hindus locally and nationally.

Sahni appealed to all Hindu organizations for solidarity if no action is taken, vowing further protests. Vikas Bakshi (Gen Secretary), Sanjeev Kohli (Working President), and Aditya Mahajan (Secretary) were present during the submission.

According to reports, various Hindu organizations have recently intensified their demands for minority status in institutions linked to the Shrine Board, which may be discussed at the next board meeting. Currently, similar reservations for minorities exist in some Jammu institutions.