Though the withdrawal of an unwanted circular asking colleges, universities and libraries to purchase sufficient copes of hindu religious books “Bghagwat Geeta and Koshur Ramayana” is a welcome step but issuing such a circular in deviation from past practice and precedence shows that the people at the helm don’t take decisions after proper consultations with the concerned stake holders. Since the authorities for the fast time in last seventy years have tended to introduce these religious hindu books “Bghagwat Geeta and Koshur Ramayana”, the teachers and students reserve the right to seek explanations from the concerned authorities for trying to introduce such books of one particular religion in schools and colleges which have been never taught in any school or college in Jammu & Kashmir state. While the fact remains that only popular governments tend to take decisions on issues concerning religious faiths of people. the incumbent governor’s administration obliged to only oversee routine administrative matter till the restoration of popular rule in the state is repeatedly trying to enforce decisions objected by people of one religion or the other and tinker unnecessarily with the legislative matters concerning contentious issues. Days before creating a row on purchasing of hindu religious books “Bghagwat Geeta and Koshur Ramayana” the Governor Satya Pal Malik in contrast to past practice and precedence retained with him the charge of Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Wakf Board. After huge criticism from people of almost all shades of opinion the governor withdrew his decision and handed over the charge of Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Wakf Board to one of his three advisors who happens to be a local muslim.
Taking hasty decisions and withdrawing the same decisions in haste speaks volumes about the administrative wisdom of the decision making authorities. Better it would be for the governor, his three advisors and the Chief Secretary not to take decisions in haste but to consult all the stake holders before taking any policy decision influencing the working of key government institutions.
Had the Governor Satya Pal Malik taken advice before retaining the charge of Chairman Muslim Wakf Board he won’t face come in the thick of sharp criticism over a decision which he had to withdraw and had the administrative secretary conveyed reservations to his higher authorities on introduction of hindu religious books “Bghagwat Geeta and Koshur Ramayana” the governor’s administration won’t have been forced to withdraw a controversial circular in haste the way it was issued in hasty. Taking hasty decisions and withdrawing the same decisions in haste speaks volumes about the administrative wisdom of the decision making authorities. Better it would be for the governor, his three advisors and the Chief Secretary not to take decisions in haste but to consult all the stake holders before taking any policy decision influencing the working of key government institutions.
