National Conference Challenges BJP to Prioritize Statehood Restoration Over NLU Demands in Jammu
In a significant political development during the Jammu & Kashmir assembly's budget session, the governing National Conference (NC) has called upon the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to move beyond its persistent demands for establishing a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu. Instead, the NC has urged the opposition party to press the central government to fulfill its promise of restoring statehood to the Union territory.
Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary Accuses BJP of Political Opportunism
Surinder Choudhary, deputy chief minister in the Omar Abdullah-led government, launched a sharp critique against the BJP, accusing it of raising the NLU issue as part of what he termed "selective outrage" about discrimination against Jammu. "They (BJP) wake up every morning and start shouting that the Omar government is discriminating against Jammu," Choudhary stated on the opening day of the 27-day budget session in Jammu. He emphasized that while the BJP focuses on the NLU controversy, it remains conspicuously silent on larger, more pressing concerns affecting the region.
The NLU Controversy: Background and Current Standoff
Jammu & Kashmir currently has no National Law University, but the demand for locating one in Jammu gained momentum after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah indicated last year that it would be established in Budgam, Kashmir. This announcement sparked protests and political debates, with the BJP positioning it as evidence of regional bias. However, Omar Abdullah has firmly rejected these recent BJP demands, dismissing the controversy as "politically motivated." He pointed out that there were no significant protests in the Kashmir Valley when Jammu was allocated both an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and an Indian Institute of Management (IIM), suggesting a double standard in the opposition's narrative.
Statehood Restoration: The Core Issue According to NC
Deputy CM Choudhary stressed that Jammu & Kashmir faces far more critical challenges than the location of an NLU. He accused the BJP of abandoning its commitment to restoring statehood, a promise made during the reorganization of the former state into Union territories. "Why is he not asking the Centre to fulfil the promise of statehood?" Choudhary questioned, referring to Sunil Sharma, the BJP leader of opposition who recently joined student protests at Jammu University over the NLU issue. Choudhary, a legislator from Jammu's Nowshera, argued that the lack of statehood has led to tangible problems, including local jobs being taken by "outsiders," which he identified as a more significant concern than university placements.
Rejection of Discrimination Allegations and Revival of Darbar Move
Choudhary firmly rejected allegations of discrimination against Jammu, asserting that the NC government's actions contradict such claims. He highlighted the revival of the "Darbar Move" as evidence of the administration's commitment to regional balance. This 149-year-old practice, which involves shifting the seat of government between Srinagar and Jammu every six months, was abolished in June 2021 by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's administration. Sinha had described the system as "a big racket," noting that over 10,000 state employees previously shuttled between the two cities annually, which also boosted trade and commerce in Jammu.
The Omar Abdullah-led government resumed the Darbar Move this year following demands from Jammu's traders, who reported that its suspension had adversely affected local businesses. Choudhary argued that this decision demonstrates the government's responsiveness to Jammu's economic interests, countering the BJP's narrative of neglect.
Broader Institutional Concerns Beyond NLU
Expanding on his critique, Choudhary flagged institutional issues that he believes the BJP overlooks. He cited the example of Jammu University, where, according to him, not a single vice-chancellor has been from Jammu. "Are our professors from Jammu not capable of leading the university? But BJP will not talk about it," he remarked, accusing the party of engaging in superficial protests while ignoring deeper systemic problems. Choudhary characterized the BJP's approach as habitual, stating, "BJP has a habit of sitting on roads and accusing the government of discrimination," but failing to address substantive governance and employment issues arising from the territory's current status.
The ongoing budget session is expected to further highlight these political tensions, with the NC positioning statehood restoration as a paramount issue for Jammu & Kashmir's future stability and development.
