The Vaishno Devi shrine has long stood as a symbol of syncretic traditions, where Hindu and Muslim communities have shared devotional practices, economic interdependence, and mutual respect. From Gujjar Muslim ponywallahs chanting ‘Jai Mata Di’ to the Dogri bhaitan sung by Haji Ghulam Mohammad’s family, the shrine’s history reflects harmony beyond religious boundaries. However, the recent demand by Hindu right-wing groups to expel Muslim MBBS students from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence starkly contradicts this legacy. Funded by taxpayer money from all communities, the institution’s exclusionary push undermines the pluralistic heritage that has defined the region for centuries.
