Citing SMVDIME, Sakina Itoo backs NLU setup in Kashmir
Jammu Tawi, Feb 3: The demand for setting up a National Law University in Jammu echoed in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, with BJP MLAs staging protests over the issue.
As soon as Question Hour began, BJP MLAs stood up and protested, demanding a Law University for Jammu.
“The students are on the streets in Jammu seeking a National Law University; there is anguish among the people. We are not against setting up the Law University, but you should also establish one in Jammu,” said BJP MLA Slathia.
Slathia was supported by other BJP MLAs, who carried placards in support of the demand.
Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat questioned the BJP for carrying placards inside the House, saying it violated the decorum of the Assembly.
Health and Education Minister, Sakina Itoo Tuesday said that the proposed National Law University (NLU) shall be established in Kashmir region to avoid the operational challenges faced by other regional institutions like the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Medical College in Jammu.
Speaking to the reporters, the minister said, “The proposed NLU shall be established in any district of Kashmir region because here in the Valley, thousands of students from Jammu region are pursuing their studies in different fields and nobody has raised any objection to it.”
She said that, “If the NLU is established in Jammu, BJP may force to cancel the Law University with the same reason they did in SMVD.”
“It is unfortunate that the opposition (BJP) instead of seeking more medical colleges for the Union Territory, they opposed functioning of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Institute of Medical Excellence just because Muslim students were studying there,” Minister Itoo said.
She said that National Law University (NLU) is the right of students of Jammu and Kashmir. “The functioning of the university shall not face any disruption or exploitation.”
Pertinently, on Monday, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma said that the plea raised by the students for establishing a separate NLU in summer capital Jammu was fully justified. LoP had said that his party will fight for the students who had demanded for this institute.
Reacting to the statement of LoP Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Surinder Kumar Choudhary a day before accused the BJP and the LoP of creating uproar over the demand for a NLU instead of focusing on broader governance issues.
Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Lone scoffed at the BJP MLAs, telling them to read the Jammu & Kashmir National Law University Act, 2018 first.
“It is not a central university, it is a state university. You should first read the law. What problem do you have in listening? Why are you shouting ‘NLU, NLU’?” Lone asked.
Lone added that the university has a budget of Rs 50 crore.
Separately, the issue of harassment of Kashmiris was also raised in the House by NC’s Mubarak Gul, PDP’s Waheed Parra and NC’s Mir Saifullah.
