Jammu,Feb 2: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Monday dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s demand for establishing a National Law University (NLU) in Jammu, saying it does not qualify as a genuine or urgent public demand compared to the pressing issues facing Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters in Jammu after the first day of the Assembly session, Choudhary said the foremost demands of the people are the restoration of statehood and the reinstatement of Jammu and Kashmir’s status.

He said the government’s immediate priorities include providing employment to unemployed youth, making Jammu and Kashmir drug-free, extending relief to flood-affected families, and constructing bunkers in border areas to ensure civilian safety.

The Deputy Chief Minister also stressed the need to provide relief to families affected during Operation Sindoor, saying such issues have a direct and serious impact on people’s lives and cannot be ignored.

Criticising the BJP, Choudhary remarked that those who once celebrated the closure of a college are now raising demands for a National Law University. “This is not a real demand,” he said, alleging that such issues are being raised to divert attention from core public concerns.

He reiterated that the government remains focused on addressing livelihood, security, and welfare-related challenges of the people, rather than engaging in politically motivated debates.