Srinagar, May 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF), headed by chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani, has expressed serious concern over the exclusion of Urdu from the recruitment criteria for the post of Naib Tehsildar, terming it harmful for administrative functioning as well as the linguistic heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued here, the Forum underscored the historical and functional significance of Urdu in the region, noting that it has remained the official language of administration since the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh. It added that a large number of revenue records, including jamabandis, mutation entries, and land documents, are still maintained in Urdu, making its knowledge essential for officials engaged in grassroots governance.
The Forum said that removing Urdu as a qualifying requirement in recruitment examinations could impact administrative efficiency, as officials without proficiency in the language may face difficulties in interpreting existing records and serving the public effectively. It further pointed out that Urdu has traditionally been included in examinations to ensure candidates possess the linguistic skills needed for revenue and administrative responsibilities.
Highlighting the broader context of Jammu and Kashmir, JKCSF stated that Urdu continues to act as a unifying medium of communication across regions and communities. Its widespread understanding among the public helps ensure smoother coordination between the administration and people, especially in rural areas where official communication and documentation largely depend on Urdu.
The Forum cautioned that such policy changes could weaken the institutional importance of the language and disrupt long-established administrative practices. It urged the authorities to reconsider the decision in the larger public interest, taking into account both governance needs and the cultural and historical significance of Urdu in Jammu and Kashmir. (Agency)
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