Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday rejected a private member’s bill seeking 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), aimed at setting up a residential and technical university in the Union Territory to provide higher education across multiple streams.
Speaking after the rejection, Para said the proposal was intended to establish the first private university in the region, calling it a major step towards 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.
He said that despite repeated appeals and efforts to have the bill considered, the government turned down the proposal.
Para alleged that the bill was opposed during voting by members of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), which ultimately led to its rejection. He also said that Education Minister Sakina Itoo and the government did not support the proposal.
Highlighting the broader objective of the bill, Para said the proposed university was also aimed at protecting students from Jammu and Kashmir from hate crimes and harassment faced in different parts of the country, by providing them quality higher education opportunities within the Union Territory.
According to the bill document, the proposed university was envisioned as a residential and technical institution with provisions for academic governance, faculty, and affiliated colleges.
Para termed the rejection as a setback, stating that the bill could have proved to be a landmark initiative for higher education as well as student safety and dignity in Jammu and Kashmir.
The development comes amid ongoing Assembly proceedings where several private members’ bills and resolutions are being taken up for discussion and voting.
