J&K's National Law University Is Finally Here!

The journey to establishing an NLU in Jammu and Kashmir has been long and frustrating. Back in 2018, law students were filled with optimism when the then PDP-BJP coalition government passed the J&K National Law University Bill in the legislative assembly. The passage of this bill was seen as a step forward in providing quality legal education in the region. However, the bill needed the governor's approval before it could become law. During Governor N. N. Vohra's tenure, certain clarifications were sought, which led to an indefinite delay.

It was only on October 1, 2019, that Governor Satya Pal Malik gave his formal assent, finally setting the legal groundwork for the establishment of the university. But this approval came at a time of political upheaval in Jammu and Kashmir. On August 5, 2019, the abrogation of Article 370 changed the region's status, leading to its bifurcation into two Union Territories-Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. This political transition further delayed the implementation of the NLU as the J&K National Law University Act had to be amended and adopted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Since then, more than five years had passed, and the university remained an unfulfilled promise. The prolonged delay has led to frustration among law students who felt deprived of the opportunities available to their peers in other parts of the country. Despite having the legal framework in place, there was no movement on the ground.

My Advocacy for Its Establishment

During this period of stagnation, I have been actively advocating for the establishment of the National Law University in Jammu and Kashmir. Recognizing the crucial role such an institution would play in enhancing legal education, I have raised this issue through newspaper articles, memorandums, and direct appeals to policymakers.

One key moment in this advocacy came in October 2022, when I, along with my colleagues, met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Among various issues, we urged him to immediately establish the NLU, emphasizing the urgent need for a top-tier legal institution in the region. He assured us at the time that the matter was being considered, but no substantial progress was made.

Not willing to let the issue fade, I continued writing about the importance of the NLU, including two articles for this newspaper. I highlighted how the absence of an NLU in Jammu and Kashmir was putting local law students at a significant disadvantage compared to those from other states.

In October 2024, after the formation of the National Conference-Congress coalition government, I wrote yet another article for this newspaper, this time directly calling on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to fulfill this long-pending promise. Shortly after, I, along with other student representatives, submitted a memorandum to the new government, reminding them of their commitment.

What Should Be Our Priorities Now?

Today, after years of relentless advocacy, seeing the NLU finally take shape is an incredible victory. It is proof that sustained efforts can lead to real change. However, now that the university has been announced, our focus must shift toward its implementation to ensure it does not meet the same fate as before.

The first priority should be to expedite the establishment process. The university should not face the same hurdles that stalled it for years. The government must set clear timelines for land acquisition, faculty recruitment, and student admissions.

The second priority is to select an appropriate location. The university must be set up in a centrally accessible area so that students from both Jammu and Kashmir can attend with ease. Ideally, it should be located on the peripheries of Srinagar or in central Kashmir, where it can be equally convenient for students from all regions.

A major concern is funding. The government has allocated ₹50 crore, but this amount is insufficient to build a world-class NLU. A large portion of this budget will likely be used for land acquisition alone, leaving little room for infrastructure, faculty hiring, and student facilities. Therefore, the government must increase the allocation in the next budget, seek additional central funding, and explore public-private partnerships to develop the university at par with India's top NLUs.

While budget constraints are a serious issue, we must ensure that academic excellence is not compromised. The NLU should not just be another law school-it should match the standards of institutions like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, and NUJS Kolkata. For this, the university must focus on the quality.

Another crucial aspect is accessibility. The university must have inclusive admission policies, ensuring that students from underprivileged backgrounds are not left behind. Scholarships, fee waivers, and financial aid programs should be introduced to support meritorious but economically weaker students.

Conclusion

The announcement of the National Law University in Jammu and Kashmir is a historic moment, but this is only the first step. The challenge now is to turn this promise into reality.

As someone who has fought tirelessly for this cause, I thank Chief Minister J&K Omar Abdullah for finally fulfilling this long-pending demand. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Jammu and Kashmir to revolutionize its legal education system and provide aspiring lawyers with the best possible resources.

The road ahead is long, but the foundation has finally been laid. Now, it is time to build, strengthen, and elevate this institution to the level it truly deserves.

• Views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer

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