Srinagar: In a significant development in the Legislative Assembly, the Jammu and Kashmir government has rejected a private university Bill moved by senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed ur Rehman Para.
Taking to social media, Para expressed deep regret over the decision, stating that the government turned down the Sheikh-ul-Alam University Bill for Pulwama (Bill No. 9 of 2025) during the Assembly session on Monday.
“I moved the Bill in the Legislative Assembly with the goal of establishing the region’s first private university,” Para wrote. “Despite my persistent appeals and efforts to have it considered, Education Minister and the J&K government rejected the proposal.”
According to Para, the Bill was opposed by National Conference (NC) MLAs in the decisive vote, halting what he described as a “landmark step for higher education in Pulwama.”
Highlighting the challenges faced by students from Jammu and Kashmir, Parra pointed out that the Union Territory currently has no private universities, while the rest of India has over 500.
He cited alarming statistics, noting that over the past ten years, 500 cases of hate crimes against students from the region have been reported. He also stated that approximately two lakh students from J&K are studying outside the Union Territory, with many spending more than ₹1 lakh per year on education.
“We urgently need to build strong institutions here in J&K so that our students can access quality education locally, overcome crises, and pursue their ambitions without facing such challenges,” Para said.
The Education Minister and the National Conference leadership have not yet issued an official statement on the rejection of the Bill. Efforts to reach government spokespersons for comment remained unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
Govt rejects Bill for private university in Pulwama, says PDP MLA Para
