JAMMU, Jan 14: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association Jammu (JKHCBAJ) today demanded National Law University in both the provinces of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and immediate elections to J&K Bar Council.
Addressing a press conference here, President of Bar Senior Advocate Nirmal K Kotwal emphasised the need for balanced regional representation in higher legal education and the urgent conduct of long overdue Bar Council elections.Kotwal welcomed the significant development of setting up National Law University (NLU) at Ompora, Budgam in Kashmir temporarily and asserted that to uphold the principles of equity, federalism and inclusive growth enshrined in the Indian Constitution, the initiative of NLU must extend to both the provinces of Jammu & Kashmir, as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh, which was the part of erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir.
He advocated for the establishment of NLUs not just in Kashmir, but also in Jammu and Ladakh, recognizing the unique socio-cultural and geographical diversity of J&K UT. “Leaving Jammu and Ladakh behind in this prestigious endeavor would perpetuate regional imbalances and deny talented youth from these areas access to world class legal education”, he added.
The Bar Association also highlighted the long pending demand for the conduct of J&K Bar Council elections, which have been stalled for years despite repeated representations to the concerned authorities and even passing of positive directions by the Apex Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 465 of 2013 wherein the Apex Court passed clear direction that the Bar Council of J&K must be constituted under the Advocates Act, 1961 and Bar Council of India was directed to complete necessary formalities, including approval and publication of the Bar Council Rules within four weeks so that elections could be conducted, however, till date no step towards conduct of elections has been taken.
The Bar urged the Government to immediately notify and conduct elections under the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961. “The prolonged delay erodes the autonomy of the Bar, disenfranchises enrolled advocates and hampers effective representation of professional interests”, the President noted.
The Association further urged the Government to look into these aspects and not to politicise the issues rather redress the genuine issues.
The press conference was attended by all office bearers of the Association including Baldev Singh (Vice President), Pardeep Majotra (General Secretary), Anshu Mahajan (Joint Secretary), and Rahul Aggarwal (Treasurer).
