National Law University to begin classes in Kashmir from April: J&K CM Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that the National Law University (NLU) will begin operations in the Valley from April next year.

The announcement came during a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on a private member’s resolution moved by Congress MLA from Bandipora, Nizam-Ud-Din Bhat.

Bhat’s resolution urged the government to expedite the establishment of the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University in Srinagar, noting that funds for the first phase had already been allocated.

The resolution was adopted unanimously through a voice vote after Abdullah confirmed that his government had no objections.

Abdullah said the administration is committed to strengthening higher education infrastructure across the Union Territory. “We want to expand it, and we are trying,” he said.

Addressing the issue of location, the chief minister explained that the final decision would be taken after consultations with the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court and the Chief Secretary.

“We have to set it up, and we will spend the money, but others also have a role in it. I have not come across any pressure from outside on where to locate it,” Abdullah said.

“But, we are not immediately building a campus. We will have to start in a rented accommodation to start admission and classes,” Abdullah added.

He further revealed that the government plans to start the university in Ompora, Budgam, in central Kashmir, at a site originally earmarked for a software technology park.

“That campus is vacant. If everything goes well, by April next fiscal we should be able to start classes in rented accommodation,” he said.

“If we cannot find a better location, we will start the National Law University at that place,” he added.

Abdullah noted that once the NLU becomes operational, law students from Jammu and Kashmir will no longer need to go outside the Union Territory for studies.

Responding to claims that the project has been progressing slowly, he said, “The truth is that the work is constantly going on in the civil secretariat. If we give details on a daily basis, you will get tired of it.”