Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, 10, June
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) today staged a massive protest at Library Chowk, Kacchi Chawni, Jammu, in strong opposition to the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s controversial decision to include Urdu as a compulsory subject in the recently notified Naib Tehsildar recruitment examination.
Hundreds of BJYM youth workers from across the Jammu Province assembled in large numbers, raising their voices against this discriminatory and regionally biased move. The protest was marked by spirited slogans and placards, asserting the rights of Jammu’s youth to fair and equal access to public employment.
State President BJYM Jammu & Kashmir, Arun Prabhat, while addressing the gathering, lambasted the former Omar Abdullah-led administration for introducing a policy that sidelines youth from the Jammu region. “This imposition of Urdu is a deliberate attempt to exclude deserving candidates from Jammu. Such regional discrimination will not be tolerated. We demand an immediate rollback,” he stated.
This move is discriminatory, unjustified, and violates the principles of equality, inclusivity, and regional fairness in public sector employment.
The Naib Tehsildar post is open to candidates from all parts of Jammu and Kashmir. However, making Urdu a mandatory qualifying criterion disadvantages aspirants from the Jammu region—most of whom study in Hindi, Dogri, or English and do not have Urdu as their medium of instruction.
This is not only exclusionary but also deprives capable candidates of a fair chance at government employment.
This decision amounts to linguistic imposition and systemic bias, and stands in violation of the Constitution of India, which guarantees equal opportunity in employment and freedom from language-based discrimination.
Moreover, the role of a Naib Tehsildar demands effective interaction with local populations. In most parts of Jammu, the working language is not Urdu. Therefore, proficiency in regional languages such as Dogri, Hindi, or Punjabi is more relevant for governance at the grassroots level.
BJYM urged the Lieutenant Governor-led administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) to reconsider this policy immediately. Urdu should be made optional, or candidates should be allowed to choose from a list of regional languages based on their domicile and preference.
Arun Prabhat also appealed to civil society, legal experts, and political leaders to unite against this unfair policy and defend the constitutional rights of the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. This is not just about a language—it is about equal opportunity, regional justice, and inclusive governance.
The protest saw active participation from key BJYM leaders, including Sh. Abhishek Slathia, State General Secretary, BJYM Jammu Kashmir, Sh. Rajat Singh Manhas, District President, BJYM Jammu North, Sh. Monu Slathia, District President, BJYM Jammu South, Sh. Ishant Mahajan, State Vice President, BJYM Jammu Kashmir, and Sh. Sagar Singh Kotwal, State Social Media Incharge, BJYM Jammu Kashmir, alongside hundreds of dedicated youth workers.
BJYM reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights and aspirations of young people across the Union Territory and vowed to continue the fight against all forms of regional discrimination.
