Is Mehbooba Mufti Warning Against the 'Institutional Abandonment' of Baba Ghulam Shah University?
Synopsis
Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti raises alarms about the alarming decline in funding for Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University. She warns that this trend threatens the university's existence and undermines the educational upliftment vision established by her father.
Key Takeaways
Mehbooba Mufti raises alarm over the funding cuts to BGSBU .
Funding has dropped from Rs 848.43 lakh to Rs 44 lakh .
Concerns about institutional abandonment are highlighted.
Call for urgent government action to reverse the trend.
Historical significance of BGSBU in promoting higher education.
Srinagar, Feb 5 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and current head of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, has recently raised alarms over the systematic and intentional reduction of funding to Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) located in the Rajouri district of J&K.
Mehbooba Mufti has vocally criticized the alleged ongoing and intentional decrease in financial support for BGSBU, Pir Panjal, cautioning that the university is being driven towards a state of managed decline through systematic neglect.
“What was envisioned as a beacon of higher education and a catalyst for social and economic advancement in Pir Panjal is now on the verge of institutional abandonment,” Mehbooba Mufti stated.
She pointed out that official statistics regarding capital infusion into BGSBU illustrate a troubling downward trend over the years. Funding was at Rs 562.50 lakh in 2019–20, increased to Rs 848.43 lakh in 2020–21 and Rs 703.88 lakh in 2021–22, but then plummeted to Rs 422.98 lakh in 2022–23, Rs 183.11 lakh in 2023–24, and alarmingly low at Rs 44.00 lakh in 2024–25.
The slight rise to Rs 187.00 lakh in 2025–26, she remarked, does little to repair the damage inflicted by years of inadequate funding.
“These figures reveal a shocking pattern of neglect. Capital infusion that once exceeded Rs 700–800 lakh during 2020–22 has been decimated to merely Rs 44 lakh in 2024–25. This is not a case of budgetary restraint. It is blatant institutional abandonment,” she asserted.
Mehbooba Mufti reminded that BGSBU was initiated by former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to enhance a historically underserved and strategically crucial region through access to quality higher education.
“The continuous reduction of funds is progressively undermining the university’s academic capabilities, research environment, and infrastructure. Weakening institutions through neglect is just as harmful as outright closure,” she emphasized.
She urged the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to urgently recognize this ongoing depletion and rectify the situation in the upcoming budget, warning that ongoing negligence could inflict irreversible damage to one of Pir Panjal’s most significant institutions.
In a post on X, Mehbooba Mufti remarked: “It is profoundly disturbing to witness the continual reduction of funds to Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Pir Panjal. From over Rs 700–800 lakh in 2020–22 to a shocking Rs 44 lakh in 2024–25, this is not fiscal restraint; it is institutional abandonment. BGSBU was established to uplift a marginalized region. Denying it funds betrays that vision and must be urgently addressed,” she concluded.
Point of View
The concerns raised by Mehbooba Mufti reflect a broader issue of educational funding and institutional support in India. The decline in resources for BGSBU not only jeopardizes its future but also raises questions about the commitment to higher education in underrepresented regions. The government must address these concerns to ensure equitable educational opportunities.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University?
Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) is a public university located in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, established to promote higher education in the region.
Why is Mehbooba Mufti concerned about BGSBU?
Mehbooba Mufti is concerned due to the significant reduction in funding for BGSBU, which she believes threatens the university's operational capacity and future.
What were the funding figures for BGSBU in recent years?
Funding for BGSBU peaked at Rs 848.43 lakh in 2020-21 but has drastically fallen to Rs 44 lakh in 2024-25.
What does Mehbooba Mufti propose?
She urges the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to acknowledge the funding cuts and restore financial support in the upcoming budget.
What impact does funding have on universities?
Reduced funding can severely affect a university's academic programs, research initiatives, and overall infrastructure, ultimately harming students and the community.
