CM Omar, Mehbooba back Urdu for Naib Tehsildar posts, cite official need

Despite the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) staying the mandatory Urdu requirement for the Naib Tehsildar post, the controversy refuses to die down, with political leaders from Kashmir defending the clause, citing its administrative necessity.

Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “There was never any intention to prevent anyone from appearing in the Naib Tehsildar examination. Even before independence, our revenue records were in Urdu. Now if you appoint staff who do not understand the language, how will they perform their duties?”

He pointed out that earlier, when officers from the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) and Indian Administrative Service (IAS) were appointed, those unfamiliar with Urdu were given time to learn the basics of the language. “I don’t believe revenue department staff who lack knowledge of Urdu can be efficient. It would be better to have a policy that allows new appointees to gain basic proficiency in Urdu within a reasonable time, otherwise, they will be unable to read the revenue records,” Abdullah said.

Former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti also weighed in on the issue. In a post on X, she said, “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. 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.”

Peoples Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone echoed similar sentiments, expressing concern over the CAT’s decision. Lone argued that Urdu had historically given Kashmiri aspirants a legitimate advantage in such posts due to its relevance in governance. “Kashmiri candidates may have had a slight edge in the Naib Tehsildar exams, and justifiably so, since all revenue records are in Urdu. Now, even that has been withdrawn,” he remarked.

Aspirants from the Dogri-speaking Jammu region had opposed the mandatory Urdu clause, terming it discriminatory. They staged multiple protest demonstrations against the requirement. The CAT has now directed the J&K Services Selection Board to accept applications for the post of Naib Tehsildar from candidates who possess knowledge of any of the five official languages of J&K.

J & K