Srinagar, April 28: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Tuesday sharply criticized the government led by the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference for its decision to drop Urdu as a compulsory qualification for the Tehsildar examination.
Describing the step as harmful to the region’s cultural and linguistic traditions, she stated that the move undermines the historical importance of Urdu and disregards the sentiments attached to the language in Jammu and Kashmir. She argued that language is closely linked to the identity and heritage of the people, and any change affecting it should be carefully reconsidered.
The PDP leader called on the authorities to withdraw the decision without delay, maintaining that removing Urdu from the eligibility conditions for revenue posts weakens a long-standing administrative practice and raises concerns among the public.
In recent developments, the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board formally revised the recruitment rules, eliminating the earlier requirement of Urdu language proficiency for candidates applying to the posts of Naib Tehsildar and Patwari.
Mufti further alleged that the policy shift could gradually reduce the role of Urdu in official work and questioned the rationale behind modifying a requirement that had been in place for many years.
