‘Each ruling MLA allotted quota’
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR May 3: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of large-scale “backdoor appointments” in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging corruption and favoritism in Government recruitment.
Addressing party workers during an outreach visit in Ganderbal district, Mufti said that nearly 30,000 Government jobs had been filled through backdoor means.
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“They do not give jobs through a proper system. These are backdoor appointments. Around 30,000 people have been employed this way, and this is being done in the name of privatization,” she alleged.
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According to Mufti, each MLA under the ruling dispensation is allotted a quota of 30 to 40 jobs. “Money changes hands in these appointments. Relatives and close associates are given jobs, while common people are ignored,” she said, adding that such practices have deepened public distress.
“People are once again being forced to sell their jewellery to get jobs. This has become a pattern under the National Conference,” she alleged.
The PDP Chief also raised concerns over the closure of prominent educational institutions, particularly those providing a mix of religious and modern education. She cited the recent shutdown of Siraj-ul-Uloom, describing it as an institution that produced doctors and engineers while offering quality education to destitute children alongside religious instruction. “How was such an institution shut down? The Government is sitting as a silent spectator,” she said.
Mufti further alleged a pattern, pointing to earlier action against Madinat-ul-Uloom in the Dargah area. “Institutions where Muslims receive both religious and worldly education are being systematically targeted,” Mufti claimed.
She accused the BJP-led Centre and the local Government of pursuing an “agenda” to weaken Muslim institutions, erode cultural identity, and sideline the Urdu language in Jammu and Kashmir. “They are trying to destroy our culture and separate us from our religion,” she said.
Mufti referred to the situation around the river Sindh, where she said local livelihoods have been affected. “Earlier, poor people earned their living there. Now big machines have come in and taken away their work, leaving many unemployed,” she alleged.
On the issue of Urdu, the PDP Chief responded to remarks by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has denied any move to undermine the language. She cited a 2009 order that made knowledge of Urdu mandatory for recruitment in the Revenue Department, and contrasted it with a 2026 order, which she claimed made graduation the primary requirement.
“There may not be a direct order against Urdu, but effectively its importance is being reduced. If Omar Abdullah denies this, what can I do?” she asked.
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