Srinagar, Jan 22: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday alleged bias in the selection process of the Civil Services (Judicial) Mains Examination and called for the results to be kept on hold pending a fair and transparent inquiry.
Addressing concerns raised by candidates from the Kashmir Valley, Bukhari pointed to what he described as a significant regional imbalance in the shortlist for the viva voce stage. According to him, only 13 out of 124 shortlisted candidates are from the Kashmir Valley, while 111 candidates belong to the Jammu division. He said the disparity has triggered allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency from aspirants, which, he argued, require impartial investigation.
Bukhari said the issue must be viewed against the broader political context in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming that polarisation along religious lines during the 2024 Assembly elections by major political parties has weakened the region’s secular fabric.
He also referred to the recent controversy surrounding admissions to the MBBS course at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Katra, alleging that communal considerations were allowed to influence what should have been a merit-based process.
Drawing parallels, Bukhari said similar concerns now appear to have surfaced in the judicial services examination. He maintained that the disproportionate selection ratio has raised serious doubts about fairness in the process.
The Apni Party president urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to keep the examination results in abeyance and order an independent and transparent inquiry to restore public confidence in the selection process. (CNS)
