Srinagar, Aug 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Branch, on Tuesday met Member of Parliament (MP) from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, at the AMU Guest House and submitted a detailed memorandum outlining key demands to ensure academic inclusion, equal opportunities, and holistic development for students of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The delegation was headed by the Association’s National Spokesperson, Dr. Zubair Reshi. Others who accompanied him included Tawseef Amin (Secretary, AMU Unit), Mohammad Davood, Ghulam Sarvar Shaheen, Ayan Niyazi, and several other functionaries.
One of the major demands put forth by the Association was the establishment of an AMU Offshoot Centre in Jammu and Kashmir, offering professional and integrated programs such as MBA, LLB, BA-LLB, B.Ed, M.Ed, Computer Applications, and Social Sciences like Kishanganj, Malappuram and Murshid Campus. The Association stated that such a centre would empower students from rural and conflict-affected backgrounds and promote social mobility.
The Association further urged the MP to advocate for reservation of seats for J&K students in every academic course at AMU and in its proposed J&K campus, similar to the J&K quota at Jamia Millia Islamia.
Another key demand was the creation of dedicated coaching centres in J&K, modeled on AMU’s Duty Society, to provide affordable preparation for entrance exams of AMU, JMI, and other central universities, with special emphasis on rural, underrepresented, and low-income students.
Highlighting the acute accommodation challenges at AMU, Dr. Zubair Reshi requested the MP to push for the construction of separate hostels for boys and girls, fully funded by the J&K Government, similar to Jamia Millia Islamia. This, he emphasized, would ensure safety and support for students relocating from the Union Territory for studies.
The delegation also apprised the MP of the difficulties faced by Kashmiri students, migrant workers, shawl sellers, and dry fruit vendors in Lucknow and other parts of Uttar Pradesh. They stressed the need for appointment of dedicated liaison and Nodal officers at AMU to monitor the academic support, welfare services, and overall experience of students from J&K. These officers, they noted, could serve as a vital link between students, university administrations, Centre and the J&K Government.
National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, described the meeting with MP Aga Ruhullah as “constructive and meaningful.” He added that, We thank him for prioritizing our concerns and assuring us of his full support.” He urged the formation of a special student grievance redressal cell at AMU to address pressing concerns of youth and ensure stronger engagement.
Responding to the delegation, MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi expressed complete support and assured that he would raise these issues in Parliament and with the Governments of Uttar Pradesh, the Centre, and Jammu & Kashmir. He said he would draw the attention of the concerned authorities to ensure that the demands are addressed on merit and resolved at the earliest possible time.
He also appreciated the Association’s efforts for the welfare of students across the country, commending its youth-centric initiatives and advocacy programs. He urged the Association to continue rigorously projecting youth-related issues and contributing to the larger developmental discourse of the Union Territory.
