JAMMU JAN, 16:-Senior BJP leader and former MLC, Adv. Vibodh Gupta, today met BJP Jammu & Kashmir UT President and Rajya Sabha MP, Sat Sharma, and held a detailed discussion on the need to establish a National Law University (NLU) in the twin border districts of Rajouri–Poonch.
During the interaction, Adv. Gupta highlighted the long-standing educational and developmental gaps faced by the Pir Panjal region, particularly the tribal and border communities. He emphasized that setting up a National Law University in Rajouri–Poonch would not only promote legal education and academic excellence but also generate awareness about constitutional rights, justice delivery mechanisms, and career opportunities among the youth of the region.
Adv. Gupta underlined that the proposed NLU would act as a catalyst for overall development, creating employment opportunities, strengthening educational infrastructure, and integrating the tribal areas more closely with the national academic mainstream. He stressed that such an institution would address regional imbalances and ensure equitable access to premier legal education for students from remote and marginalized backgrounds.
Sat Sharma gave a patient hearing to the issues raised and appreciated the constructive suggestions put forward by Adv. Vibodh Gupta. He assured that the matter would be examined seriously and taken up at appropriate forums, reiterating the BJP’s commitment to inclusive development, education-led growth, and empowerment of border and tribal regions of Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting reflects growing political and social consensus on the need for major educational institutions in the Pir Panjal region to unlock its vast human potential and ensure sustainable development.
RAJOURI JAN, 16:-A strong and unified demand for the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in the Pir Panjal region has begun to gain momentum, cutting across political affiliations, party lines and institutional positions. Legal experts, social activists, civil society members and voices from across the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have started speaking in one voice, asserting that the demand is not political but constitutional, regional and rooted in equity.
Leading the call, Advocate Naseem Liaqat, DDC Chairman Rajouri, appealed for immediate collective action to ensure that Pir Panjal is no longer excluded from premier national institutions.
“Let us rise above party affiliations and personal positions and raise a cohesive, unified demand for the establishment of the National Law University anywhere in Pir Panjal. The discussion has already begun, and people across the twin border districts are speaking for this cause. This is our right, and we shall fight for it through all legal means,” he said.
Adv. Liaqat urged the social and political diaspora of Pir Panjal, along with Bar Associations and the media, to form a united front without wasting further time and press for the NLU demand in a sustained and lawful manner.
Rajouri’s Strategic Advantage
Highlighting Rajouri as the most viable and logical location, Adv. Liyaqat pointed to its central geographical position, favourable climate and improving connectivity.
Rajouri–Jammu: 128 km (approx. 2.30 hours travel time)
Rajouri–Srinagar: 148 km (approx. 3.30 hours travel time after completion of the Chatta-Pani tunnel and all-weather road)
“With Rajouri being centrally located between Jammu and Kashmir, and with year-round connectivity improving rapidly, NLU should be established only and only at Rajouri,” he asserted.
National Precedents Support the Case
Backing the argument, noted social activist Nishi Kant Saraf cited national precedents to counter objections based on distance from capitals.
“The Indian Institute of Management in Uttarakhand is located at Kashipur. Travel time from Dehradun, the state capital, to Kashipur is around 4.30 hours. Distance has never been a barrier to excellence or national institutions,” Saraf said.
A Question of Equity and Justice
Observers note that while debates around higher education institutions in Jammu and Kashmir often revolve around Jammu versus Kashmir, the Pir Panjal region has consistently remained invisible in policy decisions. The NLU demand is now being framed as a question of regional balance, access to justice, and constitutional responsibility.
Legal fraternity members believe that an NLU in Pir Panjal would not only empower local youth but also strengthen legal education, research and access to justice in one of the most strategically and socially significant regions of the Union Territory.
As voices grow louder across social media platforms and ground-level discussions intensify, the demand for NLU Pir Panjal is steadily transforming into a people’s movement—one that seeks recognition, dignity and equal opportunity for a long-neglected region.
