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J&K: Irregularities in university appointments, Shehla Rashid joins in criticism  

While Kashmiri-language candidates were given poor marks in Viva and denied teaching positions in higher educational institutions of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjabi- and Dongri-language candidates were given excessively high marks in tests for these languages and recruited. Shehla Rashid has questioned this discriminatory behaviour

In Jammu & Kashmir, which is under President’s  rule, Kashmiri-language applicants for teaching positions in higher educational institutions have faced discrimination. Shehla Rashid, former vice-president of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Students Union, has alleged that the central government is discriminating against the Kashmiri language and Kashmiri people. She is the general secretary of the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples’ Movement. 

Speaking to FORWARD Press over the phone, Shehla Rashid said that Kashmiri-language candidates were deliberately given low marks in the viva of the exam conducted by the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). Dogri- and Punjab-language candidates, on the other hand, were shown to have been impressive performers in vivas with good marks and appointed to posts meant for them. But 23 Kashmiri-language posts are still vacant. Rashid asked that when cut-off marks could be lowered to fill the Punjabi- and Dogri-language posts, why can’t the same be done for Kashmiri-language posts? She demanded the cut-off marks be reduced for Kashmiri-language posts, too, and the 23 vacant posts filled. 

Shehla Rashid, former vice-president of JNU Students’ Union, addresses a ‘Nookkad Sabha’

Back in 2017, JKPSC had issued an advertisement for 49 posts each of Kashmiri-language and Dogri-language teachers and 25 posts of Punjabi-language teachers. Two years later, on 20 June 2019, the results were finally declared. According to one of the candidates, Riaz Ahmed Nayak, 27 points were assigned for oral examination – 20 points for interviews and 7 for demo classes. Each of the 15 Punjabi-language candidates were given all of the 27 points. All Dogri-language applicants scored 26-27. But the Kashmiri-language candidates scored very low marks and consequently the posts they had applied for are still vacant. 

Now, the matter is in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. The high court has issued a notice to the commission and sought their response. The next hearing on this case has been scheduled for 5 August 2019.

(Forward Press has been consistently publishing news related to the higher education sector. Recently, many universities have advertised teaching posts. We have been raising issues related to reservations and roster in the recruitments with a view to ensuring that Dalitbahujans get their due share in the appointments. You can also join this campaign. You may email details about the shortcomings in the recruitment process to editor@forwardmagazine.in or contact us on phone number 7004975366)


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The Case for Bahujan Literature

Mahishasur: A people’s hero

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Mahishasur: Mithak wa Paramparayen

The Common Man Speaks Out

Jati ke Prashn Par Kabir

The Case for Bahujan Literature

Mahishasur: A people’s hero

Dalit Panthers: An Authoritative History

Mahishasur: Mithak wa Paramparayen

The Common Man Speaks Out

Jati ke Prashn Par Kabir

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सुशील मानव

सुशील मानव स्वतंत्र पत्रकार और साहित्यकार हैं। वह दिल्ली-एनसीआर के मजदूरों के साथ मिलकर सामाजिक-राजनैतिक कार्य करते हैं