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News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Urdu Being Communalised, Judiciary Influenced By Politics': Mehbooba Mufti On CAT's Order
Last Updated: Mufti said that most revenue records and government paperwork in Jammu and Kashmir are still maintained in Urdu Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday criticised the judiciary, calling it 'deeply unfortunate" that it appears to be 'influenced by divisive politics" over the recent controversy surrounding the Urdu language requirement in Jammu and Kashmir recruitment rules. Her remarks came in response to the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) staying parts of the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules, 2009, which made graduation with knowledge of Urdu a minimum qualification for the post of Naib Tehsildar. In a social media post on X, Mufti said that Urdu, a recognised official language in the Union Territory, was being 'unfairly communalised" and politically targeted. 'It is deeply unfortunate that our judiciary appears to be influenced by divisive politics. Urdu, a recognised official language for decades, is now being unfairly communalised," the former J&K CM wrote. It is deeply unfortunate that our judiciary appears to be influenced by divisive politics. Urdu, a recognised official language for decades, is now being unfairly revenue records and administrative work continue to be maintained in Urdu, and it is only logical… — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 16, 2025 Mufti stressed that most revenue records and government paperwork in Jammu and Kashmir are still maintained in Urdu. 'It is only logical that applicants for the post of Naib Tehsildar possess basic proficiency in the language," she said. The former chief minister also stated that the Urdu requirement was rooted in administrative practicality, not in any attempt to divide people. 'This requirement is rooted purely in administrative efficiency not in any form of divisiveness," she added. The CAT's interim order followed weeks of protests, particularly in the Jammu region, where the BJP and other groups opposed the Urdu clause, calling it discriminatory. The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) responded by halting the application process for Naib Tehsildar posts. In a notice issued Tuesday, the JKSSB said: 'In view of the interim direction passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal… the process of inviting applications for the post of Naib Tehsildar (issued on June 9) is hereby deferred till further intimation/orders." The CAT bench, comprising Member (A) Ram Mohan Johri and Member (J) Rajinder Singh Dogra, heard the matter and issued a stay. The petitioners, represented by Senior Advocate Abhinav Sharma and Advocate Abhirash Sharma, argued that the Urdu language requirement was 'ultra vires the Constitution of India," claiming it violated principles of equality and non-discrimination. The tribunal has issued notices to the concerned authorities and asked them to respond within four weeks. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 13 August. (With inputs from PTI) view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 16:54 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mehbooba: Urdu being unfairly communalised in J&K
After the Central Administrative Tribunal's order staying the requirement of basic Urdu knowledge for the naib tehsildar exam in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday alleged that Urdu was being unfairly communalised. After the Central Administrative Tribunal's order staying the requirement of basic Urdu knowledge for the naib tehsildar exam in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday alleged that Urdu was being unfairly communalised. (HT File) Mehbooba Mufti took to X to express her disagreement over the CAT order. 'It is deeply unfortunate that our judiciary appears to be influenced by divisive politics. Urdu, a recognised official language for decades, is now being unfairly communalised,' she said. In an interim measure, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu, stayed Urdu language compulsion and ordered J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) to accept applications for the post of naib tehsildar from candidates who have graduation with knowledge of any of the five official languages enumerated in the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020, which includes Hindi, Kashmiri, English, Dogri and Urdu. Following the order, the J&KSSB on July 15 put the recruitment process on hold as it deferred the advertisement calling for applications for NT posts which was issued in June 2025. Mufti said that J&K's administrative work has been maintained in Urdu. 'Our revenue records and administrative work continue to be maintained in Urdu, and it is only logical that applicants for the post of Naib Tehsildar possess basic proficiency in the language. This requirement is rooted purely in administrative efficiency not in any form of divisiveness,' she said. The CAT's order has been celebrated by Bharatiya Janata Party after it launched a campaign to remove Urdu as a mandatory qualification for naib tehsildar posts in Jammu Kashmir. PDP leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed Parra alleged that BJP's attempt to view Urdu through a 'communal lens marks a dangerous and disgraceful new low' in our political discourse in J&K. Peoples Conference president and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone also voiced deep concern over the exclusion of Urdu as a qualifying requirement for the post of Naib Tehsildar in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it part of a 'systematic marginalisation' of the Kashmiri-speaking majority and a dangerous step toward the 'linguicide' of Urdu.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mehbooba, Lone oppose Urdu's exclusion as mandatory subject for Naib-Tehsildar posts in J&K
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC) chief Sajad Lone on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) opposed the move to drop Urdu as a mandatory subject for Naib-Tehsildar posts in Jammu and Kashmir. 'It is deeply unfortunate that our judiciary appears to be influenced by divisive politics. Urdu, a recognised official language for decades, is now being unfairly communalised,' former J&K Chief Minister Ms. Mufti said in a post on social media platform X. J&K's revenue records and administrative work continued to be maintained in Urdu, she said. 'It is only logical that applicants for the post of Naib Tehsildar possess basic proficiency in the language. This requirement is rooted purely in administrative efficiency not in any form of divisiveness,' Ms. Mufti said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been protesting against the government notification issued in June to fill these posts. A Central Administrative Tribunal Bench, comprising Rajinder Dogra and Ram Mohan Johri, on Monday passed an order to stay the operation of the provisions of the J&K Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009, making knowledge of Urdu as the minimum qualification. It directed the J&K Services Selection Board to accept applications from all candidates who possess an undergraduate degree with knowledge of any of the five official languages in J&K. 'The exclusion of Urdu as a qualifying requirement is part of a systematic marginalisation of the Kashmiri-speaking majority, and a dangerous step towards the 'linguicide' of Urdu,' Mr. Lone said. With Urdu no longer needed to qualify for the post of Naib Tehsildar, 'The majority Kashmiri-speaking population has been almost relegated to a footnote in the recruitment lists. Their presence in the recruitment lists is inversely proportional to their numbers. That is of course due to reservations,' Mr. Lone said. He said that Urdu had historically given Kashmiri aspirants a reasonable edge in such posts because of the language's relevance in administrative affairs. 'It is a calculated move to erase regional linguistic roots. The onus of giving a good legal representation is on the incumbent elected government. Hope it is not yet another fixed match in a series of fixed matches that we are seeing lately,' Mr. Lone said.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
13th July massacre is Jallianwala Bagh for Kashmiris: CM Omar Abdullah
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday placed restrictions in several parts of Srinagar city and disallowed political parties from visiting Martyrs' Graveyard to commemorate the killing of 22 Kashmiris by Dogra forces on this day in 1931. Chief minister Omar Abdullah said the ' 13th July massacre ' is the Jallianwala Bagh for people of this region and their sacrifices cannot be forgotten. "The people who laid down their lives did so against the British. Kashmir was being ruled by British Paramountcy," said Abdullah adding, "What a shame that the true heroes who fought against British rule in all its forms are today projected as villains only because they were Muslims. We may be denied the opportunity to visit their graves today but we will not forget their sacrifices." Some of the political leaders including legislators from ruling National Conference like Tanvir Sadiq, former CM Mehbooba Mufti , Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Sajad Lone informed through social media platforms that they were placed under house arrest. Some NC activists led by Salman Sagar, MLA from Srinagar, held brief protests against the administration. Several activists of other political parties were detained when they were on their way to Martyrs' Graveyard. The weekly Sunday flea market was shut and police and paramilitary forces were deployed on all major roads leading to Martyrs' Graveyard in Khawaja Bazar of Srinagar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo Will always be our heroes: Mufti "The day you accept our heroes as your own just as Kashmiris have embraced yours - from Mahatma Gandhi to Bhagat Singh - that day, as Prime Minister Modi once said, the 'dil ki doori' will truly end," said Mufti, adding, "When you lay siege to the Martyrs' Graveyard, lock people in their homes to prevent them from visiting Mazar-e-Shuhada, it speaks volumes... They will always be our heroes." PC's Sajad Lone said he doesn't understand why the Centre is so keen to redefine what is sacred for the people of Kashmir. Live Events
The Print
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Mehbooba Mufti slams NC govt's holiday proposal as ‘lip service'
'The speaker's outright rejection of the resolution was unexpected and disappointing. Today's exercise looks more like a lip service than any serious effort,' she added. 'Omar Abdullah government's proposal sent to the LG about declaring July 13 and December 5 as public holidays would have carried weight if the speaker had supported the PDP's resolution for the same in the assembly,' said Mufti in a press release issued by the PDP. Srinagar, Jul 10 (PTI) Taking potshots at the ruling National Conference after Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather rejected a resolution submitted by Pulwama MLA Waheed Para for restoration of public holidays on July 13 and December 5, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said the 'exercise looks more like a lip service than any serious effort'. The PDP chief said the National Conference's double speak on the issue has been exposed by dropping the resolution. 'By dropping the PDP's July 13 Martyrs' Day resolution, the J&K Assembly has exposed the NC's double-speak on Kashmir's history. Their silence proves complicity, not commitment,' said Mufti. 'The outright rejection of the resolution by the speaker in the assembly was both unexpected and deeply disappointing, undermining any credibility the subsequent move by the NC-led government might claim,' the PDP said. 'As it stands, this entire exercise looks more like a symbolic gesture and political lip service than a serious, sincere effort to preserve the historical and democratic identity of Jammu & Kashmir,' the party added. The PDP further said it believes that July 13, 1931 marks the beginning of Kashmir's political awakening and resistance to autocracy, and 'the martyrdom of 22 brave individuals must be formally honoured, not just in words but through institutional recognition'. 'PDP reiterates its unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity and memory of the 1931 martyrs and safeguarding the democratic foundations they laid. We will continue to resist all attempts. either covert or overt to erase or dilute Kashmir's past to suit present-day political conveniences,' the party added. PTI MIJ AS AS This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
