Language Controversy Rekindled: Urdu for Naib Tehsildar Test

All languages are good, fine and rich and they lend richness to our literature and to our lives.

- BAIRAJ CHAWALGAMI

But alas! languages are being used to divide the people and communities. Languages should unite and not divide us. Urdu is also a rich and sweet language and it has produced many poets and writers of repute. Urdu language controversy is not new but it was also found in the old decades in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with the recruitment test for the post of a Naib Tehsildar. There is no doubt that Urdu is official language in Jammu and Kashmir and it continues to be official. From, time to time we are witness to the fact that Urdu language has been made compulsory for the post of Naib Tehsildar and for qualifying the test an aspirant should also pass the Urdu language test. Other languages and national language Hindi should not be relegated to background and back seat. To make passing of Urdu test compulsory for a Naib Tehsildar post is total discriminatory and naturally it has generated much resentment not only among the Naib Tehsildar aspirants but among the political parties of Jammu and the common citizens. This avoidable controversy should be bidding a good bye at the earliest otherwise it can ignite protests and demonstrations in whole Jammu region and can ignite flames in this region which will be difficult to control and extinguish. Omar Abdullah should show his acumen and foresight and thus should order the cancellation of the compulsorily Urdu language test for the recruitment of a Naib Tehsildar post and doing so he can endear his party NC and government to the people of Jammu and it will also give the impression to Jammuites that NC-Congress coalition government cares for them. Making Urdu test mandatory for a Naib Tehsildar is unjust and discriminatory and as such a requirement of passing Urdu amounts to an assault on the rights of the educated youth of Jammu Province and Omar Abdullah should prove his credibility and non-partisan attitude of his administration by