Jammu Protesters Demand Action Against IAS Officer Over Alleged Abuse

A confederation representing Dalits, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), minorities and tribal communities staged protests in Jammu, demanding disciplinary action and a public apology from senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan over alleged abusive remarks directed at a woman colleague during an official online meeting. The controversy has prompted a government inquiry, intervention by the National Commission for Women (NCW) and demands for accountability.

The protest was led by R K Kalsotra, president of the DOMA Confederation in Jammu and Kashmir. Demonstrators raised slogans and displayed placards, urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to take action. Kalsotra alleged that the remarks insulted women, constitutional values and the legacy of B R Ambedkar, demanding a public apology in the same manner as the online meeting.

The controversy stems from an October 14 review meeting concerning Mission YUVA, Jammu and Kashmir's youth entrepreneurship and self-employment initiative. Ranjan, a 2010-batch IAS officer heading the Labour and Employment Department, allegedly used objectionable language against Beenish Wani, a JKAS officer serving as Assistant Director of Employment in Ganderbal, during a disagreement over the National Rural Livelihoods Mission's role in implementing the programme.

A video purportedly showing the exchange circulated on social media, triggering criticism from political leaders and civil service representatives. However, the Labour and Employment Department reportedly disputed its authenticity, describing the clip as AI-generated and fabricated. The allegations and the video's authenticity remain matters requiring verification.

On October 16, the administration appointed Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner/Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to investigate the incident and submit findings within 15 days. Amit Vermani, Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department, was appointed presenting officer. The NCW separately took suo motu cognisance and sought an action-taken report within seven days.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the conduct depicted in the video, raised the matter with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and called for protection against retaliation. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra and Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone also demanded accountability. The JKAS fraternity condemned the alleged humiliation and called for an impartial inquiry, protection for Wani and an apology, announcing a one-day pen-down strike.