Jammu, August 15:
Avinash Azad
In what is being termed as an organized attempt to usurp the rights of local candidates, the aspiring Assistant Professors from the Jammu Division are up in arms against the authorities and their counterparts from the Kashmir Division.
They allege that the Kashmir-based candidates have blatantly disregarded the guidelines for academic arrangement positions in government colleges in Jammu Division. This, according to the local aspirants, constitutes a direct violation of their legitimate rights and an undermining of the very principles of equity and fairness in the selection process.
The controversy revolves around the recent notification (No. 137 JKHE dated 01 March 2024) issued by the Higher Education Department for the academic arrangement of Assistant Professors for the academic year 2024-2025. The guidelines under clause two of the notification clearly stipulate that candidates must apply exclusively to either the Jammu Division or the Kashmir Division, a measure designed to prevent overlaps, unnecessary resignations, and the migration of candidates from one division to another. However, the local candidates claim that this mandate has been flagrantly violated by certain aspirants from the Kashmir Division, who have applied for positions in both divisions.
A Flagrant Violation of Guidelines
The crux of the issue lies in the blatant disregard for the clause aimed at preventing dual applications. “We applied in good faith, following the guidelines set by the Higher Education Department,” said one of the aggrieved candidates from Jammu Division, who preferred to remain anonymous. “However, when the tentative lists were uploaded on the websites of the nodal colleges, we were shocked to find that several candidates from Kashmir Division had applied in both divisions, including subjects like History, Political Science, and others. This is not just unfair; it’s an outright exploitation of the system.”
The concerned candidates have wasted no time in raising the alarm. On August 12, 2024, they took the issue to the Nodal Principal of GCW Gandhi Nagar Jammu, but to their dismay, their grievances were met with indifference. “The Nodal Principal showed complete helplessness in addressing our concerns,” said another candidate. “Instead of taking immediate action against this clear violation, he shrugged off his responsibility, leaving us with no choice but to consider legal action.”
The Next Steps: Legal Action on the Horizon
Disillusioned with the inaction of the concerned authorities, the candidates are now contemplating approaching the courts. “We have no option left but to knock on the doors of the judiciary,” one of the spokespersons for the group said. “This is not just about a job; it’s about protecting our rights and ensuring that the rules are applied uniformly. The guidelines were put in place for a reason, and anyone violating them should be held accountable.”
The candidates are demanding an immediate inquiry into the alleged violations by the Kashmir-based candidates. They are also calling for the issuance of notices to those who have applied in both divisions, asking them to provide an explanation for their actions. Furthermore, they are urging the authorities to take strict action, including barring such candidates from participating in any future selection processes.
The Way Forward
The issue has struck a chord with the local populace, who view it as yet another instance of the Jammu Division being sidelined in favor of candidates from the Kashmir Division. The sentiment on the ground is palpable, with many expressing their frustration over what they perceive as a systemic bias. As the local candidates prepare to take their fight to the courts, the ball is now in the court of the Higher Education Department. Will they address the grievances of the Jammu-based candidates and ensure that the guidelines are enforced uniformly, or will this issue escalate into a full-blown legal battle? Only time will tell. For now, the local candidates remain resolute in their demand for justice, vowing not to rest until their rights are safeguarded and the sanctity of the selection process is restored.
Very bad decision for development of new subjects as well as institutions also.
This criteria is 25 instead of 10 is Good.
This is not favour for the promotion of Education system & quality.
kashimirs have been fraudsters throughout history and they still have those tendencies. But the question here is on the department of higher education and office of the nodal principal Kashmir, who it seems, very systematically executed this fraud. Credibility of such institutions and officers engaged with this process is highly doubtful.