Clamour grows in Bandipora for National Law University

Bandipora, Jan 31: Elected and former representatives in Bandipora district of north Kashmir have launched a campaign to host the proposed National Law University, asserting that the district is the “most deserving” location for the institution.

Members of the Panchayati Raj Conference gathered to press their demand. They appealed directly to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and local legislators to address what they described as a long-standing neglect of the district’s educational infrastructure.

Dr Ghulam Mustafa Khan, a District Development Council member and also the chairman for the Panchayat Raj Conference in Bandipora, who led the conference, highlighted the district’s historical reputation.

“Our district is known by the name of ‘Ilm, Adab, aur Aab‘ (Knowledge, Literature and Water),” Khan said.

“Among the 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Bandipora is the only one known by this title.”

He expressed frustration at the lack of higher education facilities in the region compared to its neighbours.

“It is our misfortune that we have not yet received a university campus, nor even a Women’s Degree College,” he said.

“We make a humble request to our Chief Minister that Bandipora is the most deserving candidate for the National Law University.”

Khan urged three local legislators from the ruling coalition, Nizamuddin Bhat, Hilal Akbar Lone and Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, to back the proposal.

He specifically noted the legal backgrounds of Bhat and Lone as a reason for them to champion the cause.

“Nizamuddin Bhat and Hilal Akbar Lone have both been law students and renowned lawyers,” Khan said.

“We expect them to support us and illuminate the city of ‘Ilm, Adab, aur Aab’ with a Law University.”

The demand comes amid competing calls from the Jammu region for the university. Khan addressed this competition directly during the press conference.

“To my brothers in Jammu raising this demand, you have the Central University, Jammu University, AIIMS and much more,” he said. “Bandipora has nothing.”

Khan also pointed to the significant number of local students who would benefit from the facility.

“We have approximately 10,000 students studying law or who have graduated,” he said. “We deserve this.”

He added that a delegation of panchayat representatives planned to meet the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor to formally press their case.

“The university belongs to us,” he said.