Srinagar, Nov. 24 -- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that debates over admissions at Mata Vaishno Devi University are moving away from constitutional principles. He warned that making admission decisions based on religion could set a precedent affecting other public services.

Speaking to the media, Abdullah referred to the assembly-approved act that established Mata Vaishno Devi University, noting that the law does not restrict admissions to any religious group. "When the assembly passed the bill to establish Mata Vaishno Devi University, where was it written that boys and girls of one religion would be excluded?" he said, according to KNS.

He added that the act clearly allows admissions based solely on merit. "At that time,...