Political Storm Erupts Over National Law University Location in Jammu & Kashmir
The proposed establishment of a National Law University in Jammu & Kashmir has ignited a fierce political controversy, exposing deep-seated regional fault lines between the Union territory's two major regions. The dispute has escalated into a heated exchange between politicians from the Kashmir valley and Jammu-based groups, with accusations of discrimination and even calls for regional separation.
Jammu's Demand Sparks Controversy
The controversy erupted after the Jammu High Court Bar Association and BJP functionaries demanded that the NLU campus be established in Jammu instead of Budgam district in central Kashmir, where it was originally scheduled to begin operations this year. This demand triggered immediate backlash from Kashmir-based politicians who viewed it as another attempt to undermine development in their region.
Strong Reactions from Kashmir Leaders
Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone, who represents Handwara in north Kashmir as an MLA, reacted with particular intensity to the demands from Jammu. "Maybe the time has come for an amicable divorce," Lone declared on Wednesday, adding that "This is not just about development. Jammu has become the proverbial stick to beat Kashmiris with."
Lone further questioned what he described as Jammu's "obsessive" opposition to projects in Kashmir, stating: "We cannot have a region slandering Kashmiris non-stop and petitioning the rest of the country that only one region in J&K is with the country and the other is a terrorist region."
Chief Minister's Response and Regional Balance Concerns
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah firmly rejected the BJP's demand for shifting the NLU to Jammu, pointing out that Jammu already hosts prestigious institutions like an IIT and an IIM. "No questions of regional balance were raised when those institutions were established," Abdullah emphasized, adding that it was premature to allege discrimination since no final decision on the NLU's location had been officially taken.
The Chief Minister urged for a more balanced perspective, reminding all parties that he serves as the CM for all of Jammu & Kashmir, not just one region.
Escalating Demands and Modified Positions
As tensions mounted, the Jammu bar association initially pressed for the NLU to be completely shifted to Jammu but later modified its position on Wednesday. The association proposed an alternative solution: establishing three separate NLUs - one each in Jammu, Ladakh, and Kashmir regions. This suggestion, however, did little to calm the growing unrest.
Law students from Jammu University have warned of potential protests if the NLU is not located in Jammu, adding student activism to the already volatile political mix.
BJP's Stance and Broader Context
Former minister Sham Lal Sharma of the BJP defended Jammu's right to raise the issue, stating: "The CM should think beyond Kashmir and act as the CM of all of J&K." Sharma supported either establishing a Jammu campus or creating separate NLUs for both regions, reflecting the party's position that Jammu deserves equal consideration in institutional allocations.
Medical Institute Controversy Fuels Law University Debate
The NLU dispute gained additional momentum following recent developments at another educational institution. Last week, the National Medical Commission withdrew permission for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), located near Katra in the Jammu region. This decision came after protests by BJP politicians and right-wing Hindu groups over admissions to the first batch, where 42 of 50 selected students were from the Kashmir valley and Muslim.
Protesters had argued that an institute funded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board should admit only students who have faith in goddess Vaishno Devi. While the commission cited lack of faculty and facilities as reasons for the withdrawal, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah maintained that the institute was effectively closed on religious grounds.
The celebrations that followed SMVDIME's closure in parts of Jammu further intensified demands to shift the proposed law university southward, creating a complex web of educational, religious, and regional tensions that now threatens to deepen the political divide in Jammu & Kashmir.
This controversy highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing regional development aspirations within the Union territory, with educational institutions becoming flashpoints for broader political and social conflicts that continue to shape Jammu & Kashmir's complex governance landscape.
