The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was marked by significant disruption as opposition members from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vocally demanded the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu. The assembly session, held on February 3, was characterized by protests and the display of placards by BJP legislators, demanding that the government address the educational needs of students in Jammu. This comes in light of ongoing demonstrations from Jammu University students advocating for the creation of a law university in their region.
During the proceedings, BJP MLA Surjit Singh Slathia emphasized the need for an NLU in Jammu, stating, "We are not against granting a National Law University for Kashmir but also want one for Jammu to meet the aspirations of our students." His remarks were echoed by fellow BJP members, who joined in raising slogans and displaying placards, creating a ruckus that prompted the Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, to intervene repeatedly.
- Demand for National Law University — raised by BJP members amid uproar
- Concerns over harassment of Kashmiris — National Conference and PDP highlight issues faced by Kashmiris outside the UT
- Speaker maintains order — despite challenges in keeping the assembly decorum intact
While the BJP focused on the demand for a law university, members from the National Conference and People's Democratic Party (PDP) expressed concern about the alleged harassment of Kashmiri students and traders outside the Union Territory. They highlighted several instances of reported hate crimes against Kashmiris, calling for immediate government intervention to address these pressing issues.
In response to the uproar, Speaker Rather dismissed an adjournment motion proposed by PDP MLA Wahid Ur Rehman Para, insisting that the matter could be discussed without disrupting the Question Hour. He noted that the Jammu and Kashmir government is already in discussions with other state governments regarding the safety and security of Kashmiris, reiterating the importance of maintaining decorum within the assembly while addressing such critical issues.
