Srinagar, Feb 11: A fresh political storm has erupted in north Kashmir after National Conference (NC) MLA Javid Hassan Baigh publicly credited former DDC chairperson (Baramulla) Safina Beigh for “ensuring” that the proposed Ayurvedic medical college was not established in Bandipora.
His remarks, made in a Facebook post following the Budget announcement, have sparked outrage in Bandipora, with residents accusing the political leadership of side-lining the district in the allocation of a key UT-level institution.
In a post on the social media platform Facebook, MLA Baigh wrote: “It (College) was sanctioned for north Kashmir and Safina ji wanted it to be established in Baramulla. The institution started functioning in a building in Highgam and now land for it has been identified in Amargarh which is also Baramulla. We should be thankful to Safina ji who ensured that it didn’t go to Bandipora or Kupwara.”
However the announcement has come as a major disappointment for the people of Bandipora district and has ballooned into an ugly political slugfest — with a National Conference legislator openly crediting the former DDC chairperson for “ensuring” the institution was kept out of neighbouring Bandipora.
Residents of Bandipora are disappointed over continued neglect saying that every district of Kashmir is having reputed institutions including Medical Colleges, Universities or University Campuses with Bandipora being the only exception where there is no such facility available.
During Budget Session, JK Government announced establishment of a new Ayurvedic medical college in north Kashmir’s Sopore area.
The ₹1.35-lakh crore J&K budget for 2026-27, presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah earlier this month, proposed an Ayurvedic medical college at Amargarh in Sopore and a homeopathic college at Rakh-Hoshiari in Kathua. Kathua celebrated, and Sopore welcomed the move.
Netizens from Bandipora said the post was meant to end the debate over the issue between Sopore and Baramulla. “Instead, it has confirmed what Bandipora has long alleged — that political heft, not administrative need, decides where development lands”.
“Is Bandipora only a vote bank? Why this betrayal, again?” a group of senior citizens from the district told Kashmir Convener. “Don’t we deserve better facilities? Kyun Bandipora ke log siyasat ke shikaar ho rahe hain? Aur kab tak?”
The questions are not new. Carved out of Baramulla district in 2007, Bandipora has often complained of being side-lined on infrastructural front — from colleges to roads to healthcare. That a UT-level institution meant for “north Kashmir” was openly lobbied away has only reinforced the sense of political marginalisation.
“This is not development. This is patronage,” said a local activist. “First they collect votes from us. Then they betray us. Are we not citizens of this state? Are we only here to be used as a vote bank?”
“If it’s for north Kashmir, why not Bandipora? Why is it always Sopore, Baramulla and Kupwara?” asked a former sarpanch from the district. “We are part of Kashmir too. But it seems we are only part of it when votes are counted.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio, has projected the AYUSH expansion as a major policy achievement. Work on the Amargarh campus is set to begin next financial year.
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