Srinagar: Facing a backlash from the public and the opposition, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday (25 January) withdrew an order deputing four officers to conduct a two-day sports event planned by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Doda district next week.
“Deputation order issued by this office vide Order No DYSSO/D/Acty/6087-92 dated 22/01/2025 is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect,” a circular issued on Saturday by Sunil Kumar, district youth services and sports officer, Doda, said.
The deputation order said that the city secretary of ABVP – the students wing of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) whose members have been booked for communal activities in Jammu and Kashmir – was planning to conduct a kabaddi and wrestling championship at the Doda Sports Stadium on January 27-28.
Four physical education teachers were directed to “ensure smooth conduct of event”, according to the order, sparking another political row in Jammu and Kashmir with the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the ruling National Conference (NC) of “facilitating” the Hindu rightwing outfit’s events.
“[The] NC government chooses not to rationalise the erroneous reservation policy or ensure transparent recruitment. Instead they are facilitating ABVP’s events across schools in J&K. The anti-Muslim bigoted student organisation is now being allowed to hold a Kabaddi tournament in Indoor Sports Stadium Doda,” PDP leader Iltija Mufti said in a post on X.
Amir Chaudhary, a spokesperson of Gujjar Bakerwal Students Alliance, said that the ‘RSS backed ABVP’ should not be allowed to hold such events in Jammu and Kashmir, “It’s strange that the government is not taking necessary action against the saffronisation of the administration. This is totally unacceptable and should be investigated,” he said.
Tiranga rally
The controversy broke out a day after the administration ordered the students and staff of government-run schools to participate in an ABVP rally organised in the Poonch district of Jammu division ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.
According to the order, the additional district magistrate of Poonch had directed the chief education officer (CEO) to facilitate a Tiranga rally which was organised by the ABVP on Thursday (January 23).
Acting on the direction, the CEO had asked nine government-run and private educational institutions to “send 40-50 students and two teachers” to the event. A copy of the order had gone viral on social media, prompting an uproar in the Union Territory, with the opposition cornering the Omar Abdullah government on the issue.
Many netizens on X and other social media platforms also wondered whether these events had the tacit backing of the NC government which has been accused of cozying up to the saffron party after coming into power in October last year.
The Civil Service Conduct rules bar the government employees from participating in any political activity or associating themselves with any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics.
However, sources said that the government had no say in the matters pertaining to higher bureaucracy in Jammu and Kashmir which still remains under the control of the lieutenant governor.
Under new business rules introduced last year by the Union home ministry, ahead of the assembly election in the Union Territory, J&K lieutenant governor was granted sweeping powers over All India Service officers which includes higher bureaucracy and administration.
In an attempt to tighten its grip on the administration, the Omar Abdullah government also issued a second circular on Saturday, prohibiting the staff and students of government-run educational institutions from participating in political programs.
“It is enjoined upon all the Officers including Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers and Head of Institutions of all the schools under School Education Department to not to grant any permission or give direction to students or staff (including all categories of teachers) to participate in any political programme, rally etc. organised by any political party/organisation,” the circular issued by Peer Zahid Ahmed, deputy secretary in the school education department said.
The circular has directed the chief education officers to “strictly monitor” the implementation of the instructions and report any deviation to directors of school education. “The respective Directors, School Education Department shall ensure strict compliance of circular instructions and violation of same shall be viewed seriously and shall invite strict action under law,” the circular said.
