Sir,
The recent recruitment notification by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for 75 Naib Tehsildar posts, mandating proficiency in Urdu, has reignited deep concerns – not just about linguistic fairness, but about inclusivity and regional equity in governance.
It is important to acknowledge that many land and revenue records in Jammu and Kashmir are indeed still maintained in Urdu. However, following the *abrogation of Article 370, the official language policy of the Union Territory has changed significantly. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020, five languages are now recognized as official: **Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English, and Kashmiri. In this new legal and administrative framework, **Urdu cannot be treated as the sole qualifying language*, especially for key government posts.
Making Urdu mandatory for Naib Tehsildar posts not only alienates a large section of eligible and capable candidates from Jammu – where *Hindi, Dogri, and English* are far more prevalent – but also contradicts the government’s earlier commitment to *digitize and translate revenue records* into multiple official languages. This promise, made in 2022 by the then Chief Secretary, was a step toward transparency and inclusion, ensuring that no language group would be disadvantaged in public service recruitment.
The demand, therefore, is not for the elimination of Urdu – a language with rich literary and historical significance – but for a *fair and inclusive administrative framework* that allows candidates from all linguistic backgrounds an equal opportunity. The current policy sends a troubling message: that despite constitutional changes, *Kashmir-centric governance patterns continue*, marginalizing the Jammu region.
Furthermore, the situation calls for the *establishment of a dedicated translation and digitization department, tasked with making all revenue records accessible in **Hindi, Dogri, English, and other official languages*. This would ensure transparency, reduce corruption, and broaden the talent pool eligible for key administrative posts.
Kalash Nath
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