Srinagar, Oct 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Thursday has extended its deep gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for allocating ₹50 crore and formally announcing the establishment of the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University (NLU), which is set to begin functioning from April next year, likely from Ompora in Budgam district.
Terming the decision a milestone in the region’s educational system, the association said it marks a long-awaited fulfillment of a critical need for an institution dedicated to advanced legal education in Jammu and Kashmir.
National President of the Association, Advocate Ummar Jamal, said the JKSA had been actively advocating for the creation of an NLU in J&K for years. “We had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister a few months ago, urging him to initiate the process. Today’s announcement finally yielded the fruits of our efforts,” Jamal said.
He lauded the Chief Minister’s announcement in the Legislative Assembly, where Omar Abdullah confirmed that the university would initially operate from a makeshift campus at Ompora, Budgam, with the permanent location to be finalized later in consultation with the Chief Justice of the J&K and Ladakh High Court and the Bar Council of India. The Chief Minister also said that a committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Shantmanu had been formed to study models from other states and finalize the framework for the NLU, which will begin admissions and classes in the next financial year.
Jamal added that the association’s sustained campaign, through media publications, opinion pieces, and policy consultations has consistently highlighted the pressing need for such an institution in the region. “For years, aspiring law students from J&K were forced to migrate to other states, bearing financial and emotional burdens in pursuit of quality education. The NLU will finally enable our students to access premier legal education within the Union Territory itself,” he said.
National Spokesperson of the Association, Dr Zubair Reshi, said that, “Existing law schools in the University of Kashmir and University of Jammu, despite their merit, lack the experiential learning opportunities, such as mooting, legal clinics, and internships, that define premier NLUs. This new university will bridge that gap and nurture a generation of lawyers, scholars, and policymakers who can contribute to J&K’s legal and governance systems,” Jamal added.
He said that the establishment of the NLU represents a transformational leap for Jammu and Kashmir’s academic and institutional development. “It will give a boost to legal scholarship and research excellence, opening doors for our students to compete at national and international levels,” he added.
The Association also appealed to the government to ensure speedy implementation, transparent utilization of funds, and an inclusive admission process offering equal opportunities to students from Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
