SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday expressed concern over what she described as the judiciary being seemingly “influenced by divisive politics”, calling it “deeply unfortunate”.
Her remarks followed a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order that stayed the enforcement of provisions in the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009. These provisions required candidates applying for the post of Naib Tehsildar to be graduates with knowledge of Urdu.
Mufti criticised the move, saying Urdu—a constitutionally recognised official language in Jammu and Kashmir—was being “unfairly communalised”. She stressed that revenue records and much of the region’s administrative work are still maintained in Urdu, making it “only logical” for applicants to have basic proficiency in the language.
She further clarified that the Urdu requirement was rooted in administrative necessity, not intended to foster division.
The CAT’s decision came in response to widespread protests in the Jammu region, led by the BJP, against the mandatory Urdu qualification. The rule had drawn sharp criticism over the past month, with opponents labeling it as discriminatory.
Following the tribunal’s order, the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) on Tuesday announced a halt to the recruitment process for Naib Tehsildars in the Revenue Department.
“In view of the interim direction passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Jammu, the process of inviting applications for the post of Naib Tehsildar (issued on June 9) is hereby deferred until further notice,” the JKSSB said in an official statement.
