Denounces discriminatory language policy, demands justice for Nai Basti shopkeepers
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu: DD, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday held a crucial meeting of its MLAs at the party headquarters in Trikuta Nagar to discuss recent move to make Urdu language a mandatory qualification for Naib Tehsildar posts.
The meeting was presided over by J&K BJP President Sat Sharma and addressed by Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly Sunil Sharma and BJP General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul.
During the meeting, the party leadership held threadbare discussions on the recent move to make Urdu language a mandatory qualification for Naib Tehsildar posts.
The BJP leaders strongly opposed the decision, terming it a deliberate attempt to marginalize the youth of Jammu region.
“This is a calculated move to deprive Jammu’s youth of equal opportunities. The imposition of Urdu mirrors the divisive and exclusionary policies once pursued by the Omar Abdullah-led government. We will not allow the repetition of such injustice,” said a joint statement issued after the meeting.
The BJP leaders asserted that such a move is a clear violation of the equal status to multiple official languages including Dogri, Hindi, Kashmiri, Urdu, and English.
It was also emphasized that revenue passbooks are already issued in three languages i.e. Urdu, Hindi, and English making the imposition of mandatory Urdu language knowledge both unnecessary and unjustified. The party demanded an immediate rollback of the decision and warned of launching a mass agitation if the order is not withdrawn.
The meeting also highlighted the plight of shopkeepers in Nai Basti who are being displaced due to the highway extension project. The party urged the administration to fulfil its commitment to rehabilitate the affected traders adequately.
“It is the duty of the government to safeguard the livelihoods of those impacted by development works. The current administration’s indifference is unacceptable,” the BJP leaders noted.
Furthermore, the issue of proposed toll plazas in various regions also came under discussion, with the leadership asserting that such moves must be reviewed carefully, keeping public interest in mind.
The BJP reiterated its stand to continue raising people-centric issues and vowed to oppose all actions that discriminate against any region or section of society.DD