Ladakhi Students Demand Separate University, Allege Discrimination

New Delhi: Students from Kargil and Leh gathered in large numbers on the Tawi bridge in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir and blocked the area for two hours on November 1. They were demanding a separate and full-fledged university in the Ladakh region, and accused the state of “neglecting” them for almost seven decades . A shutdown was also observed in Ladakh on Friday.

“In the state, we have almost eight universities in the Jammu and the Kashmir region without even a single university in Ladakh, which is an indication of the discrimination on the part of authorities. The lack of higher educational facilities has kept Ladakh economically backward,” Greater Kashmir quoted a protesting student as saying.

Discrimination under Kashmir University

The protesting students also submitted a memorandum to Governor Satya Pal Malik. The memorandum read, “All colleges in Ladakh are affiliated to Kashmir University and its inadvertent work culture amid problems in Kashmir hugely affects the students in Ladakh.”

Also Read: Where are the Promised Jobs, Ask Protesting Kashmiri Pandits

“Student community makes up to 40 per cent of the total population of Ladakh and a university in Ladakh has been its long cherished dream. We have been trying every possible way to seek government intervention in the establishment of a university in Ladakh but successive governments have not taken any step towards fulfilling our demands. The establishment of a full-fledged university in Ladakh would solve all the problems students have to face for accessing higher education. We seek your intervention at the earliest for the same,” the memorandum read.

Talking to Newsclick, a student said, “There are only two degree colleges – one in Ladakh and the other in Kargil, but no university. We are under Kashmir University who neglect us and don’t respond properly to us.”

Delay in Results

Students have also accused the University for delaying results of various under graduate courses.

“We are suffering the most. Normally, the undergraduate course is of three years but we take up to five years to complete the course because of the delay in the result and delay in the exams. That affects our possibility of acquiring a job in the future. Who will compensate for all this?” asked Angchuk, a PhD scholar studying in Jammu.

In the backdrop of the criticism faced by the university by the protesting students, the University of Kashmir (KU) announced the delinking of colleges in Leh and Kargil districts. As per the Tribune, “The university has decided to open sub-offices in each district for the examination process, from setting papers to declaring results.” The university has also appointed a new Controller of Examination for the Ladakh region who would ensure the effective functioning of the sub-offices.

The decision was taken during a meeting by KU Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmad to discuss the problems faced by the students from Ladakh and Kargil regions and address them efficiently.