Mon Oct 06 16:09:13 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
An education official in North Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad Shah, was removed from his position after issuing a social media gag order to teachers without the Education Minister’s approval. The Jammu and Kashmir government took swift action, emphasizing that employees have the right to express themselves constructively and that such unilateral decisions will not be tolerated. Education Minister Sakina Itoo stressed the accountability of the bureaucracy to the elected government and its commitment to the welfare of the people and employees. The order had faced criticism from regional parties who felt it was an overreach of power.
**News Article:**
**Kashmir Education Official Removed Over Social Media Gag Order**
*Srinagar, October 6, 2025* – A top education official in North Kashmir has been removed from his post after issuing a controversial order restricting teachers’ use of social media. The Jammu and Kashmir government swiftly acted against Bashir Ahmad Shah, the in-charge Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Baramulla, for issuing the directive “without consent of the Education Minister.”
“Employees are our own and have the right to express themselves constructively,” stated Education Minister Sakina Itoo. “Such unilateral decisions will not be tolerated. Any official or officer found working against the interests of the common masses will face strict action.”
Shah has been attached to the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) while an inquiry is conducted. A joint director-rank officer has been tasked with submitting a report to the administrative department within 15 days.
The gag order, which warned teachers of penalties ranging from censure to dismissal for “misuse of social media,” sparked immediate outrage, including 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.
Regional political parties, including the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, condemned the order as an overreach of bureaucratic power. National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar emphasized the importance of accountability within the government, stating, “Bureaucracy must realise that there is an elected government in place… There is accountability in place. It was a unilateral decision.”
Minister Itoo reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare of both the public and its employees, warning that “anyone indulging in affairs of government without proper authority will face due action.” The incident has highlighted the ongoing tensions between the bureaucracy and the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.
First Piper 