In Jammu, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are protesting against a government order that makes Urdu a compulsory language for the Naib Tehsildar recruitment examination in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has been protesting this requirement for three weeks, with district-level protests and rallies. The party has warned that it will launch a region-wide agitation if the order isn't withdrawn.

On Monday, July 14, 2025, BJP legislators protested outside the Civil Secretariat and Assembly, demanding the order's revocation, calling it discriminatory and detrimental to Jammu's youth. The MLAs held placards highlighting injustice against the youth of Jammu, Dogras, and other official languages of the union territory. They raised slogans against the government and National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah, accusing the NC of inciting unrest in the region.

Sham Lal Sharma, a BJP MLA and former minister, stated that the decision to make Urdu mandatory was unacceptable and that Kashmir-centric parties, especially the National Conference, have been discriminating against the Jammu region for decades. Sharma added that this order attempts to deny jobs to Jammu's youth and discriminates against other official languages. He also said that Urdu was not previously compulsory for these posts.

Yudhvir Sethi, another BJP MLA, called the Urdu requirement an injustice to Jammu's youth and said that such injustice would not be tolerated. The MLAs believe the requirement marginalizes the youth of the Jammu region and deprives them of equal opportunities. Sethi stated that the imposition of Urdu reflects the divisive and exclusionary policies pursued by the Omar Abdullah-led government.

BJP leaders say that they have already tried peaceful and democratic means to oppose the decision. They have submitted memorandums, led delegations, and met with the Lieutenant Governor. According to the BJP MLAs, the Chief Minister had assured BJP representatives that the issue would be addressed, but no action followed. Because of this, the BJP feels they have no option but to protest.

The BJP also argues that the order violates the equal status granted to official languages like Dogri, Hindi, Kashmiri, Urdu, and English. They point out that revenue passbooks are already issued in Urdu, Hindi, and English, making the Urdu mandate unjustified.

Other parties and organizations have also protested the decision to make Urdu compulsory. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organized protests at district headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir. Sunil Dimple, president of Mission Statehood Jammu Kashmir, also led a protest against the Urdu requirement.

Conversely, Kashmir-based political parties, such as the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), have defended the Urdu requirement. They accuse the BJP of attempting to communalize the issue for political gain. The NC argues that Urdu's role in the revenue, judicial, and administrative system is rooted in history, as it became the official administrative language of J&K over 130 years ago during the Maharaja's reign. They warn that undermining Urdu's role would create administrative and legal complications, disrupting governance.