By: Sheikh Mohammad Isa
PDP leader Iltija Mufti on Tuesday led a strong protest in Srinagar against the National Conference-led Jammu and Kashmir government over the removal of Urdu as a mandatory qualification in revenue department recruitments, particularly for Tehsildar examinations.
Accompanied by PDP workers, Iltija Mufti staged the demonstration in the heart of Srinagar, raising slogans in support of the Urdu language and accusing the Omar Abdullah government of attacking the linguistic and cultural identity of Jammu and Kashmir. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Iltija Mufti’s Strong Remarks
Addressing the protesters and media, Iltija Mufti said:
“We have come here because Urdu is being removed. The National Conference has attacked the Urdu language. Urdu is a part of our faith, culture, and civilisation… Urdu language is the very soul of our literature and culture.”
She further elaborated:
“We know that Jammu and Kashmir comprises diverse regions with different mother tongues — whether it is Kashmiri, Gujri, Pahari, or Punjabi — but we all know and understand Urdu. An attack on Urdu is, in essence, an attack on our knowledge, our culture, and our literature.”
Iltija asserted that the move by the NC government is not just administrative but a direct assault on the composite culture and historical identity of the region.
Background of the Controversy
The row erupted after the J&K Revenue Department released draft recruitment rules on April 10, 2026, for various non-gazetted posts in the revenue services, including Patwari, Naib Tehsildar, and Tehsildar. In the new draft, the mandatory requirement of Urdu language proficiency (which existed for decades alongside graduation) has been removed. Only a graduation degree is now listed as the minimum qualification.
Urdu has been the traditional language of administration and revenue records in Jammu and Kashmir since the Dogra era (late 19th century). It remained the link language even after 1947 and was used extensively in land records, court documents, and official communication.
The PDP had earlier strongly opposed the move, describing it as a “deliberate attempt to sideline and erase Urdu from the administrative framework” and “culturally insensitive.” The party demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification.
Political Reactions
- PDP’s Stand: The party, led by Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija Mufti, views the decision as part of a systematic erosion of Kashmir’s linguistic and cultural heritage. They argue that since most existing revenue records are in Urdu, removing the language requirement will create practical difficulties in governance and disconnect future officers from ground-level work.
- BJP’s Position: The Bharatiya Janata Party has welcomed the change, calling it a “course correction.” BJP leaders argue that J&K now has five official languages (Urdu, Hindi, Kashmiri, Dogri, and English), so no single language should be made mandatory. They suggest candidates should have knowledge of any one official language.
- National Conference: The ruling NC government is yet to issue an official comment on the fresh protest by Iltija Mufti.
Broader Context
This is not the first time the Urdu issue has sparked debate in J&K. In 2025, when Urdu was made compulsory for Naib Tehsildar posts, the BJP had protested against it. The current draft rules appear to address that concern by making Urdu non-mandatory.
Several Urdu organisations and the J&K Urdu Council have also opposed the move, warning that it will create administrative hurdles as common people, especially in rural areas, are more comfortable with Urdu in revenue matters.
The protest by Iltija Mufti reflects the PDP’s strategy to position itself as the defender of Kashmir’s cultural and linguistic identity in the changed political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
The J&K administration has invited objections and suggestions on the draft rules within 15 days. It remains to be seen whether the government will revise the notification or stick to its stand.
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