Srinagar, January 22: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his grave concern over the disproportionate shortlisting of candidates in the Civil Services (Judicial) Mains Examination.
In his statement Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “It is a matter of serious concern that only 13 out of 124 candidates from the Kashmir Valley have been shortlisted for the viva voce stage of the Civil Services (Judicial) Mains Examination, while the remaining 111 candidates belong to the Jammu division.”
Urging a fair probe into the matter, he said, “The candidates from the Valley who have been dropped have rightly alleged serious irregularities and a lack of transparency in the examination results. Given the stark regional imbalance reflected in the results, these concerns cannot be dismissed and deserve fair and impartial investigation.”
Apni Party president blamed political parties for communalising and polarising the Jammu and Valley and said, “Unfortunately, during the 2024 Assembly elections, two political parties played an active role in polarising the two divisions—Jammu and the Valley—along religious lines. The BJP communalised the political discourse in Jammu, while the NC responded in a similar manner in the Valley. Both parties reaped electoral benefits from this polarisation; however, the ultimate cost was borne by the secular fabric and social harmony of Jammu and Kashmir as a whole.”
He went on to say, “The situation has now worsened. A recent example was seen when the merit-based selection of MBBS students at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Katra, was communalised on religious lines. Since the BJP used its power and influence to revoke permission for the MBBS course at this institution—thereby ensuring that Muslim students do not study here—this action damaged the larger cause and public interest of Jammu and Kashmir. It now appears that the Civil Services (Judicial) Mains Examination is also being subjected to communal considerations, as the disproportionate ratio of shortlisted candidates raises serious doubts.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari appealed LG and CM to intervene into the matter ensuring the declared results are kept in abeyance and a probe into the matter is initiated. “At a time when mistrust prevails in both regions, the only responsible course is to keep the results in abeyance and initiate a transparent, independent inquiry. The Lieutenant Governor Shri Manojsinha and Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah must ensure that the results of the Civil Services (Judicial) Mains Examination remain on hold until a fair and thorough inquiry is conducted,” he said. (KDC)
