Jammu, March 30, 2026: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday rejected a private member’s bill proposing the establishment of a private university in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, with PDP leader Wahid Ur Rehman Para expressing regret over the decision.
The bill, titled “Sheikh-ul-Alam University, Pulwama Bill, 2025” (Private Members’ Bill No. 9 of 2025), sought to set up a residential and technical university in the Union Territory to offer higher education across multiple streams.
Speaking after the rejection, Para said the proposal aimed to establish the region’s first private university, calling it a significant step toward strengthening higher education infrastructure in Pulwama.
“It is with regret that I inform that the government has rejected our bill on Sheikh-ul-Alam University at Pulwama in today’s Assembly session,” Para said, adding that despite repeated appeals and efforts, the government did not consider the proposal.
Para alleged that members of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) opposed the bill during voting, which led to its rejection. He also said Education Minister Sakina Itoo and the government did not support the proposal.
Highlighting the broader objective, Para said the proposed university was also intended to protect students from Jammu and Kashmir from hate crimes and harassment in other parts of the country, by providing quality higher education opportunities within the Union Territory.
According to the bill, the university was envisioned as a residential and technical institution with provisions for academic governance, faculty, and affiliated colleges.
Para described the rejection as a setback, stating that the bill could have been a landmark initiative for higher education, as well as for student safety and dignity in Jammu and Kashmir.
The development comes amid ongoing Assembly proceedings where several private members’ bills and resolutions are under discussion and voting. (Agency)
