Omar Abdullah is on the Test
B L Saraf
The notification issued by the J&K Services Selection Board for the recruitment of Naib Tehsildars, making knowledge of Urdu language mandatory for the aspirants, has raised a political storm in the Jammu region. BJP, the principal opposition party is up in opposing the notification and has sought LG’s intervention to delete the relevant clause in the notification. In this regard the Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the Assembly, Sunil Sharma, met Manoj Sinha with the request to do the needful.
The LOP has alleged that by insisting on the knowledge of Urdu Language as a requirement for competing in the Naib Tehsildar (NT) examination the UT Government intends to deprive thousands of candidates in Jammu region of an opportunity to compete. According to him, Urdu language is neither read nor taught in the schools of the region. The LOP may be right to the extent that in some parts of the Jammu plains Urdu may not be a preferred subject in the syllabus – particularly in the English medium institutions. But it is hardly true of the hilly regions where this language is taught in the Schools and read by the students of all faiths and caste. Because, Urdu is not a religion or sect specific: the language belongs to all. In India, men and women of all religions have been contributory to its enrichment.
The grievance of those who oppose the requirement of knowledge of Urdu for the NT recruitment has, perceptibly, two dimensions. One has an academic angle and the other is loaded with a political content. Let us examine both in a proper perspective.
Speaking out of the practical experience, gathered during my service career, I would like one to bear in mind that whole revenue record in J&K is maintained in the Urdu language, written in the Nastaliq Script. This has been so in major parts of the North and Central India. In J&K this practice has been in vogue much before the independence. In fact Urdu was introduced as an Official language of the erstwhile State by the progressive and farsighted Dogra Rulers, as early as middle of the Nineteenth Century, The revenue and judicial administration has been fully carried out in this language since that time. The practice goes on even now though the Computer has replaced it to some extent. It will take decades for the modern technology to displace Urdu completely from the revenue and judicial administration of Jammu and Kashmir. But then, even if other language is chosen to compile the revenue records, Urdu words like Fard, Intikhab, Jamabandi, Girdwari, Kharief, Rabi etc will seamlessly and indelibly enter the lexicon – no matter which is the language and the script. We have been observing this phenomenon even in the Hindi heartland.
One must know that post of a Naib Tehsildar is an important cog for smooth running of the revenue administration. In fact he is an indispensible lynchpin in the machinery. Therefore, a NT has no escape from being well versed in the Urdu language and the script. His knowledge of the subject will prove beneficial not only to him but also the revenue administration. It will be for the public at large, too. It will remain so till an appropriate script and terminology are found.
Having said so, it is need of the hour that old script and vocabulary yield place to the new and futuristic lingua which, in the first place, is Computer friendly, and, in the second place, is easily workable for the entrants to the Revenue service and the consumers of that service.
With respect to other one, it will of some help to allude to a perception growing in J&K that due its proximity with the powers in Delhi and Srinagar, the BJP has emerged as a ” proxy Government “. The impression gets strengthened when the statement of Deputy Chief Minister is analyzed. According to the media reports, DyCM, Surinder Choudhary “accused BJP of allegedly running a ‘Proxy Government” through the L.G, Manoj Sinha. Without taking names Choudhary said if someone thought that he could crush the mandate of the people he will not be allowed because the Government is not feared of and is ready to fight for the people.”
May be, DyCM’s statement is a morale boosting one for the NC cadres. Because, a restlessness of sorts is palpable in the rank and file of the Party. Many among them feel that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah is being too cautious in a bid not to upset the apple cart. Some in the party feel that Omar Abdullah’s approach towards Delhi may facilitate restoration of the statehood, at the earliest. But a significant section feels other wise. They see a kind of docility in this approach which they think will, in the ultimate analysis, be suicidal for the NC and want CM to put his foot down. Those who want to see Omar hardening his attitude towards LG may do well to understand the dynamics of a dual power structure which is presently in view in J &K. It is a tight rope walk situation. The CM will have to tread cautiously. They say discretion is the better part of the valor. It will be no wisdom to fritter away the opportunity to serve the people, how so little it may be.
Sooner than later, Omar Abdullah will have to set right the perception. No doubt it is tight rope walk for him but it is time to work out a political strategy and do the balancing act, which will satisfy his voters and not annoy the BJP led Central Government. It is for the Central Government, too, to ensure that the elected Government is not destabilized so soon after the elections. J&K is still battling the Pak sponsored terrorism. Therefore, it is in every body’s interest that the situation remains stable and calm.
We can’t guess how the given situation will pan out in coming weeks. However if, on the intervention of opposing political forces, the requirement of knowledge of Urdu is removed from the NT recruitment notification it may be a Test in which CM Omar Abdullah will be seen failing. And, most surely, it will come at a heavy political cost for him and the NC. Nonetheless, at the same time Omar Abdullah must come true to his words that people in Jammu region – who voted differently in last October Assembly election – too have a right of ownership on his Government. That demands no injustice is meted out to the unemployed youth of the whole Jammu region.
(The author is former Principal District & Sessions Judge)
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