SRINAGAR: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday termed as “deeply unfortunate” the Central Administrative Tribunal’s stay on Urdu proficiency as a criterion for Naib Tehsildar posts, saying the judiciary appears to be influenced by “divisive politics”.
It is deeply unfortunate that our judiciary appears to be influenced by divisive politics. Urdu, a recognised official language for decades, is now being unfairly communalised.
Our revenue records and administrative work continue to be maintained in Urdu, and it is only logical…
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 16, 2025
“It is deeply unfortunate that our judiciary appears to be influenced by divisive politics. Urdu, a recognised official language for decades, is now being unfairly communalised. Our revenue records and administrative work continue to be maintained in Urdu, and it is only logical that applicants for the post of Naib Tehsildar possess basic proficiency in the language. This requirement is rooted purely in administrative efficiency not in any form of divisiveness,” Mehbooba said in post on X.
The CAT order stalled provisions of the 2009 recruitment rules that mandated graduation with Urdu knowledge for the post. Mufti said Urdu, an official language, was being unfairly communalised, adding that revenue records in J&K are still maintained in Urdu and basic proficiency is essential for administrative efficiency.
The JKSSB deferred the Naib Tehsildar recruitment process following the CAT’s interim direction. The order came amid protests led by the BJP in Jammu against making Urdu compulsory for the post.
