SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on Wednesday dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) claims regarding the removal of Urdu as “baseless,” asserting that the language continues to hold a central place in the region’s curriculum and administrative framework.
NC’s Provincial President for Kashmir, Showkat Ahmad Mir, made the remarks while addressing a meeting of party functionaries at the party headquarters, Nawa-e-Subha.
Mir said the NC-led government does not take decisions to appease its “masters,” in contrast to the previous PDP administration. “Every decision of our government is guided by the interests of Jammu and Kashmir, public aspirations, and democratic principles,” he said.
Criticising the PDP, Mir alleged that its government implemented measures such as the SARFAESI Act and the Goods and Services Tax in the region primarily to satisfy external interests, which he claimed adversely impacted the local economy. He added that the NC would not pursue such measures.
Mir further accused the PDP of raising concerns over Urdu to divert attention from its support to the BJP during the Rajya Sabha elections. He clarified that no decision has been taken to remove Urdu from the curriculum or recruitment processes, reiterating its importance, particularly in revenue department work.
“Urdu continues to be part of both education and recruitment frameworks, and any attempt to alter this would disrupt administrative functioning,” he said.
He also urged party workers to prepare for the upcoming panchayat and municipal elections, stressing the need to field capable and credible candidates. Referring to the government led by Omar Abdullah, Mir said efforts are underway to mobilise all available resources for public welfare and that the government’s achievements over the past one and a half years should be communicated to the people.
