J&K CM Omar Abdullah JAMMU: J&K’s governing National Conference (NC) on Monday urged BJP to move beyond demands for a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu and instead press the Centre to restore statehood to the Union territory.Surinder Choudhary, deputy chief minister in the Omar Abdullah-led govt, accused BJP of raising the NLU issue as part of its claims about discrimination against Jammu while remaining silent on larger concerns.“They (BJP) wake up every morning and start shouting that the Omar govt is discriminating against Jammu,” NC’s Choudhary said on the opening day of the J&K assembly’s 27-day budget session in Jammu.J&K has no NLU at present but the demand for it to be located in Jammu gained traction after CM Omar said last year that it would come up in Kashmir’s Budgam. Omar has rejected the recent BJP demands, calling the controversy “politically motivated” and pointing out that there were no protests in the Valley when Jammu was given both an IIT and an IIM.Deputy CM Choudhary stressed that J&K faced far more pressing issues than NLU and accused BJP of abandoning its promise of restoring statehood. “Why is he not asking the Centre to fulfil the promise of statehood,” Choudhary said. He was referring to Sunil Sharma, BJP leader of opposition who joined students’ protests at Jammu University over the NLU.A legislator from Jammu’s Nowshera, Choudhary rejected allegations of discrimination, arguing the NC govt would not have revived the “Darbar Move” after four years if that was the case.In June 2021, LG Sinha’s administration ended the Darbar Move, a 149-year-old practice of shifting the seat of govt between Srinagar and Jammu every six months. Sinha described the system as “a big racket”. Before its abolition, over 10,000 state employees shuttled between the two cities twice a year, boosting trade and commerce in Jammu. The Omar-led govt resumed it this year after demands from Jammu’s traders, who said its suspension had hurt business.Referring to the NLU demand, deputy CM Choudhary flagged “lack of statehood” as the biggest issue, leading to local jobs being taken away by “outsiders”. “BJP has a habit of sitting on roads and accusing the govt of discrimination. But they don’t look at Jammu University, where not a single vice-chancellor has been from Jammu. Are our professors from Jammu not capable of leading the university? But BJP will not talk about it,” Choudhary said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTrump Announces India-US Trade Deal, Reduces Reciprocal Tariffs On Delhi To 18%; PM Modi ReactsAir India Grounds Dreamliner After Pilot Flags Fuel Control Switch Issue in London-Bengaluru Flight’Nonsense, Lies’: BJP Blasts Rahul Gandhi For Citing Ex-Army Chief Naravane’s Memoir, Oppn Hits BackChina Slams Dalai Lama’s Grammy Win, Calls It Political Manipulation Warns Against Anti-China MovesShowdown In Parliament As Rahul Gandhi Quotes Ex-Army Chief Naravane’s Book on China’Arrogant, Liar’: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Attacks CEC Gyanesh After SIR Meet In DelhiPak Analyst Rips Munir Over Trump Minerals Pitch And IMF Loans After US Snubs Pakistan On Pax SilicaBalochistan Crisis: Pakistan-Origin Commentator Takes Apart Islamabad, Exposes Lies On India’India Showed…’: Ex-Army Chief Naravane’s Remarks On Galwan Clash Resurface After Lok Sabha Row’Faster Than BrahMos’: DRDO Calls New Hypersonic Anti Ship Missile A Game Changer For India123PhotostoriesHow to make South Indian Beetroot and Paneer Paniyaram for breakfast at home10 best travel ideas for Valentine’s Day 2026 weekend9 comforting amla dishes ideal for winter months10 luxury bikes that blend power, precision, and prestige‘The 50’, ‘Bigg Boss’, ‘Laughter Chef’: Celebrity reality shows that never fail to entertainHrithik Roshan shares his post-workout meal photo and it is plateful of things we all loveKriti Sanon pens a special note for ‘Special Friend’ after Nupur Sanon’s Hindu wedding- See pictures8 ways to experience a different side of DelhiJustin Bieber’s performance to Lola Young’s win: Highlights from the 68th Annual Grammy Awards nightTop 10 countries in the world by GDP (2026 Projections); check India’s position123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesCigarette Prices HikeIndia US TradeIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingSuper Bowl HalftimeMLB Trade RumorsFernando MendozaTom BradyTampa Bay LightningNHL Trade RumorsTop YouTube ChannelsRyan ClarkQuinn HughesJoel Embiid
JAMMU: J&K’s governing National Conference (NC) on Monday urged BJP to move beyond demands for a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu and instead press the Centre to restore statehood to the Union territory.Surinder Choudhary, deputy chief minister in the Omar Abdullah-led govt, accused BJP of raising the NLU issue as part of its claims about discrimination against Jammu while remaining silent on larger concerns.“They (BJP) wake up every morning and start shouting that the Omar govt is discriminating against Jammu,” NC’s Choudhary said on the opening day of the J&K assembly’s 27-day budget session in Jammu.J&K has no NLU at present but the demand for it to be located in Jammu gained traction after CM Omar said last year that it would come up in Kashmir’s Budgam. Omar has rejected the recent BJP demands, calling the controversy “politically motivated” and pointing out that there were no protests in the Valley when Jammu was given both an IIT and an IIM.Deputy CM Choudhary stressed that J&K faced far more pressing issues than NLU and accused BJP of abandoning its promise of restoring statehood. “Why is he not asking the Centre to fulfil the promise of statehood,” Choudhary said. He was referring to Sunil Sharma, BJP leader of opposition who joined students’ protests at Jammu University over the NLU.A legislator from Jammu’s Nowshera, Choudhary rejected allegations of discrimination, arguing the NC govt would not have revived the “Darbar Move” after four years if that was the case.In June 2021, LG Sinha’s administration ended the Darbar Move, a 149-year-old practice of shifting the seat of govt between Srinagar and Jammu every six months. Sinha described the system as “a big racket”. Before its abolition, over 10,000 state employees shuttled between the two cities twice a year, boosting trade and commerce in Jammu. The Omar-led govt resumed it this year after demands from Jammu’s traders, who said its suspension had hurt business.Referring to the NLU demand, deputy CM Choudhary flagged “lack of statehood” as the biggest issue, leading to local jobs being taken away by “outsiders”. “BJP has a habit of sitting on roads and accusing the govt of discrimination. But they don’t look at Jammu University, where not a single vice-chancellor has been from Jammu. Are our professors from Jammu not capable of leading the university? But BJP will not talk about it,” Choudhary said.