PDP Opposes Removal of Urdu Requirement in J&K Revenue Recruitment Rules
Srinagar, April 21: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday strongly opposed the decision to remove Urdu as a mandatory qualification from revenue recruitment rules in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a move that undermines both administrative continuity and cultural identity.
In a statement, the party said the decision represents a deliberate attempt to sideline Urdu from the region’s administrative framework, despite its longstanding role in governance.
The PDP said Urdu has historically formed the backbone of revenue records, land documentation, and official communication in Jammu and Kashmir, and removing it from recruitment criteria could create practical challenges in handling existing records.
The party described the move as “culturally insensitive” and “administratively unsound,” stating that any dilution of Urdu’s role would weaken the continuity of governance systems that have relied on the language for decades.
The PDP further said the decision reflects a broader pattern of changes that, according to the party, risk undermining the linguistic and cultural identity of the region.
Highlighting public sentiment, the party said Urdu maintains a deep-rooted connection with the people and continues to play a significant role in official and social spheres.
The PDP urged the government to immediately withdraw the notification and restore Urdu as an essential qualification for revenue posts.
It added that any attempt to diminish the status of the language would be opposed. [KNT]
