Srinagar, April 25:
Strong reactions have emerged across Kashmir following the government’s decision to remove Urdu as a mandatory qualification for the recruitment of Patwar and Naib Tehsildar posts, with several organizations terming the move “unacceptable” and warning of a mass agitation if the order is not withdrawn.
According to reports, a joint roundtable conference held at the Press Club Srinagar witnessed participation from a wide spectrum of civil society members, intellectuals, and representatives of various organizations. The meeting was convened by the Jammu and Kashmir Urdu Council and the Urdu Coordination Committee.
Speakers at the conference expressed deep concern and surprise over the decision, stating that removing Urdu as a requirement for posts linked to the Revenue Department would not only create administrative challenges but also deal a serious blow to the language’s status in the region.
They pointed out that this was the second such step affecting Urdu during the current dispensation, recalling that the eligibility criteria for Naib Tehsildar posts had earlier been relaxed in terms of Urdu proficiency.
Emphasizing the historical and administrative significance of Urdu in Jammu and Kashmir, the participants said the language has served as an official medium since the era of Maharaja Pratap Singh and continues to dominate official records, particularly in the Revenue Department.
“Even today, most of the land and revenue records are maintained in Urdu, and the language is widely understood across the region. Any move to dilute its importance will adversely affect public dealings and governance,” speakers said.
The participants asserted that Urdu represents the cultural and linguistic unity of Jammu and Kashmir and warned that any attempt to undermine it would not be tolerated. They cautioned the government that failure to revoke the notification could trigger a large-scale public movement.
The meeting also called upon people from all walks of life, as well as social and political organizations, to come forward and play an active role in safeguarding the language.
Among those present were President Jammu Kashmir Urdu council, Advocate A.R. Hanjura, General Secretary Javed Matji, Convenor Urdu cordination committee Ajaz Kakroo, Dr. Johar Qadoosi, religious scholar Maulana Shawkat Hussain Keng, Kashmir Economic Alliance co-chairman Farooq Ahmad Dar, Patwari Association president Sufi Ghulam Mohammad, Anjuman-e-Ulama Ahnaf president Maulana Akhzar Hussain,Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai, senior journalist Imdad Saqi, Anjuman Urdu Sahafat general secretary Bilal Furqani, Daily Roshni editor-in-chief Zahoor Shora,Gh. Hassan Gamgeen, journalist Zahoor Shair Javaid Karmani,Shakeel Shafai, Nazim Nazir, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation president Abrar Khan, former general secretary Bashir Kangposh, Shabir Matji,Nazir Shahbaz, Sarwar Ahmad and several other prominent personalities.