Proposed National Law University Triggers Jammu–Kashmir Tug of War
By: Javid Amin | 14 January 2025
When a University Becomes a Political Battleground
What should have been a routine announcement about expanding legal education in Jammu and Kashmir has instead turned into a flashpoint exposing deep regional anxieties. The proposal to establish the first National Law University (NLU) in the Union Territory has triggered a sharp political and emotional contest between Jammu and Kashmir, with each region seeing the location of the institution as a measure of respect, parity, and political recognition.
The decision of the Union Territory government to start the NLU’s operations from April 2026 at a temporary campus in Ompora, Budgam, has drawn strong objections from Jammu-based groups. What began as an administrative choice has now widened into a broader debate about regional balance, historical grievances, and the unfinished project of integration after the abrogation of Article 370.
The Government’s Plan: Budgam as the Starting Point
According to official announcements, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has earmarked ₹50 crore for the establishment of the National Law University. The plan involves:
- Launching academic operations from April 2026
- Using a temporary campus at Ompora in Budgam district
- Deciding the permanent location at a later stage
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has defended the move as practical and fair, arguing that Kashmir has long lacked premier central institutions comparable to those located in Jammu.
Jammu Pushback: Parity, Accessibility, and Regional Balance
The strongest opposition has come from the Jammu High Court Bar Association, backed by several BJP leaders from Jammu. Their arguments centre on three main points:
- Regional Parity: Jammu already hosts major institutions like IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu, but critics argue this should not automatically disqualify Jammu from hosting the NLU.
- Accessibility: Jammu-based lawyers and students claim the region is better connected and more accessible year-round.
- Perceived Marginalisation: There is a long-standing sentiment in Jammu that policy decisions disproportionately favour the Valley.
For many in Jammu, the NLU is not just an academic institution but a symbol of equitable governance in the Union Territory.
Kashmir’s Reaction: ‘Why Is Development Always Contested?’
Political leaders in the Kashmir Valley have reacted sharply to Jammu’s objections. Parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Peoples Conference (PC) argue that:
- Kashmir has historically been denied high-end educational institutions
- The Budgam decision was a long-overdue corrective
- Resistance from Jammu reflects regional prejudice rather than policy logic
Former minister and PC leader Sajad Lone went a step further, remarking that repeated disputes over institutions raise the question of whether the Union Territory model itself is sustainable. His reference to an “amicable divorce” between the regions, though rhetorical, underlined the depth of frustration in the Valley.
Omar Abdullah’s Argument: Pointing to IIT and IIM
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has remained firm, rejecting demands to relocate the NLU to Jammu. His central argument is comparative:
- IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu were set up without objections from Kashmir
- Kashmir accepted those decisions in the spirit of regional balance
- The NLU in Budgam restores institutional parity
According to Abdullah, opposing the NLU’s location in Kashmir sends the message that development there is conditional and negotiable.
Education as a New Flashpoint in the Jammu–Kashmir Divide
The NLU controversy follows earlier disputes over medical college admissions, where allegations of communal and regional bias triggered protests. Together, these episodes suggest a troubling trend: education is emerging as the new battleground for Jammu–Kashmir rivalry.
Instead of being viewed as shared assets, institutions are increasingly perceived as zero-sum gains—won by one region and lost by the other.
Comparative Snapshot: Competing Regional Perspectives
| Issue | Jammu’s View | Kashmir’s View |
|---|---|---|
| NLU Location | Should be in Jammu | Budgam is justified |
| Institutional balance | Still unequal | Long overdue parity |
| Political tone | Demand-based | Defensive, resentful |
| View of UT governance | Valley-favouring | Jammu-dominated |
The Larger Political Context: Post-Article 370 Unease
The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 was projected as a move that would dissolve regional barriers. Yet, the NLU dispute highlights how administrative unity has not translated into emotional or political unity.
Instead, regional identity has hardened, with each side scrutinising every policy decision for signs of bias.
Risks and Trade-Offs
1. Politicisation of Academia
Universities thrive on autonomy and academic freedom. When institutions become political trophies, their core mission risks being diluted.
2. Deepening Alienation
If the Budgam decision is reversed, Kashmiris may see it as another broken promise. If it stands, Jammu may feel ignored. Either outcome carries costs.
3. Governance Gridlock
Persistent regional contestation can paralyse decision-making, delaying much-needed reforms.
What This Episode Reveals
The NLU controversy is not fundamentally about law education. It is about:
- Trust in governance
- Perceptions of fairness
- Competing regional memories
As long as these issues remain unresolved, every new project will risk becoming a flashpoint.
Conclusion: A University as a Test Case
The proposed National Law University has become a test of whether Jammu and Kashmir can move beyond competitive regionalism toward cooperative development. The challenge before the administration is not merely choosing a location, but crafting a narrative of shared ownership.
Without that, even the most well-intentioned educational initiative will continue to ring alarm bells—signalling division rather than progress.
