NLU, statehood and harassment of Kashmiris dominate J&K Assembly proceedings

The second day of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed heated exchanges and verbal sparring over the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu, the demand for restoration of statehood, and concerns over the safety of Kashmiri traders and students across the country.

As soon as Question Hour began on Tuesday, BJP MLA Surjit Singh Slathia raised the issue of setting up the proposed NLU in Jammu, stating that students were protesting on the streets demanding the institution. BJP legislators raised placards reading “NLU for Jammu” and sought a discussion on the matter.

The BJP MLAs also demanded clarity from the government regarding the location of the proposed university. On Monday, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma had expressed support for the students and said the BJP would raise the demand for establishing the varsity in Jammu during the Assembly session.

During a verbal exchange, People’s Conference MLA Sajad Lone told BJP members that the NLU was a state university with a budget of Rs 50 crore and not a Central university.

Meanwhile, legislators from the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised concerns over incidents of harassment faced by Kashmiri traders and students in different parts of the country. Recent incidents involving Kashmiri shawl sellers being assaulted in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh were cited.

Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he had already spoken to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister and the Union Home Minister regarding the harassment of Kashmiri students and traders.

“I am thankful to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister for registering a case and arresting the accused involved in a similar incident. In Himachal Pradesh, however, the harassment is continuing despite it being a Congress-ruled state. We do not expect our people to be harassed and beaten there. I request the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh to take strict action,” Omar said.

Earlier, PDP legislator Waheed Para moved an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the issue of harassment of Kashmiris. “Kashmiri students are becoming victims of targeted attacks. There are reports that they are not getting accommodation on rent and are being denied employment. There is a need to discuss this matter,” Para said.

However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather disallowed the adjournment motion, stating that the issue could be raised through a calling attention notice or by asking questions, but not through an adjournment motion. NC MLA Mubarak Gul also raised the issue inside the House.

The demand for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir also echoed both inside and outside the Assembly. NC MLAs staged a protest outside the Assembly in the morning, holding placards demanding statehood. PDP MLA Muntazir Mehdi joined the protest. Later, NC legislators raised the demand for statehood restoration inside the House as well.