J&K government removes officer who imposed social media gag on teachers without approval

An official who issued a social media gag order to the teachers in north Kashmir, “without consent of the Education Minister”, was removed from his position by the Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday (October 6, 2025).

“Employees are our own and have the right to express themselves constructively. Such unilateral decisions will not be tolerated. Any official or officer found working against the interests of the common masses will face strict action,” said J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo.

Ms. Itoo said J&K has “an elected government of the people, by the people, and for the people”.

“It’s not just a privilege of a few. The officer was attached because he issued an order directing teachers and employees to desist from using social media on his own personal level,” Ms. Itoo said. 

The officer, Bashir Ahmad Shah, who worked as the in-charge Chief Education Officer (CEO), Baramulla, has now been attached to the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK), pending an inquiry, an official communique said. A joint director-rank officer has been instructed to “conduct an inquiry and submit a report to the administrative department within 15 days”.

Ms. Itoo said the government is “committed to the welfare of the common masses as well as employees”. “Anyone indulging in affairs of government without proper authority will face due action,” Ms. Itoo added.

The officer had issued a warning to government teachers and employees over “misuse of social media”. It warned of penalties, including censure, a fine of up to one month’s pay, withholding of increments or promotion, demotion, recovery of losses, premature retirement, removal from service, or dismissal with disqualification from future employment, in the event of any violation of the order.

“Bureaucracy must realise that there is an elected government in place. Bureaucracy cannot run amok, like it did in the past few years. There is accountability in place. It was a unilateral decision,” National Conference leader and spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said. 

The order also came under criticism from the regional parties, including the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party.