New Delhi, Dec 19, KDC: A delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Friday met Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, in New Delhi and highlighted key issues and demands concerning students from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh studying across the country. The delegation was led by JKSA National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, and was accompanied by other office bearers of the Association.
The Association strongly urged the establishment of an Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) offshoot centre in Jammu and Kashmir, offering professional and integrated programmes such as MBA, LLB, BA-LLB, B.Ed, M.Ed, Computer Applications, and Social Sciences, on the lines of AMU’s Kishanganj, Malappuram, and Murshidabad campuses. The proposed centre, JKSA said, would open new avenues of higher education for students from rural, remote, and conflict-affected areas and promote social mobility and regional development.
Association also called for reservation of seats for students from Jammu & Kashmir in every academic programme at AMU, as well as in the proposed J&K campus, similar to the quota extended to J&K students at Jamia Millia Islamia. The issue of rationalization of reservation in Jammu and Kashmir and the way forward to ensure equitable access to opportunities was also discussed in detail.
Highlighting the acute accommodation crisis faced by students at AMU and Jamia Millia Islamia, the Khuehami sought the construction of separate boys’ and girls’ hostels for J&K students, fully funded by the J&K Government, to ensure safety, dignity, and institutional support for students pursuing education outside the Union Territory.
The Association also brought to the MP’s notice the difficulties faced by Kashmiri students, migrant workers, shawl vendors, and dry fruit sellers in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and other parts of Uttar Pradesh. It demanded the appointment of dedicated liaison and nodal officers in every state to effectively curb incidents of intimidation and harassment faced by Kashmiri students and traders, to monitor academic support, welfare services, and the overall well-being of students from J&K, and to serve as a vital bridge between students, university authorities, and the governments of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and the Centre.
JKSA National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, described the interaction as “constructive and meaningful” and thanked MP Aga Ruhullah for giving priority to the concerns of students from the region and assuring full support. He also urged the establishment of a special student grievance redressal cell at Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University to address pressing issues, prevent discrimination, and strengthen institutional engagement with youth from Jammu & Kashmir.
Responding to the delegation, MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi expressed complete support and assured that he would raise the issues in Parliament and take them up with the state governments, the Centre, and Jammu & Kashmir. He said he would draw the attention of the concerned authorities to ensure that the demands are examined on merit and resolved at the earliest possible time.
The MP also appreciated JKSA’s sustained efforts for student welfare across the country, commending its youth-centric initiatives, crisis interventions, and advocacy for inclusive education. He acknowledged the Association’s role as a significant youth platform connecting policy, academia, and student voices from J&K, and encouraged it to continue highlighting student issues and contributing meaningfully to the broader developmental and educational discourse of Jammu and Kashmir.
