Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
A purported video showing senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan allegedly using abusive language against a woman Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer during an official meeting has triggered a controversy in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing political criticism and demands for an impartial inquiry.
The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, purportedly captures a heated exchange between Ranjan, Secretary of the Labour and Employment Department, and Beenish Wani, an Assistant Director associated with the Mission YUVA initiative, during a departmental review meeting.
The exchange reportedly took place during discussions on the implementation of Mission YUVA, a government initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and employment. The circulating clips appear to show Ranjan criticising Wani over the department’s performance and directing officials to prepare a suspension order and communicate with the General Administration Department regarding action against her.
In the footage, Ranjan is purportedly heard using derogatory language and repeatedly asking Wani to stop speaking. Wani, in turn, appears to insist that she be allowed to explain her position. The exchange reportedly escalates as both officers challenge each other’s remarks.
The video has prompted criticism over the language allegedly used by the senior officer. However, the Labour and Employment Department has disputed the completeness of the clips circulating online, saying they have been selectively edited and do not present the full context of the proceedings.
In a clarification issued on Wednesday, the department said the review meeting, chaired by the Secretary of Labour and Employment on October 14 from 3 pm to 6 pm, was an extensive exercise to assess departmental performance across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. It added that the complete recording of the meeting was available with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
The department emphasised that mutual respect, discipline and professional decorum were essential in official interactions. It said officers and officials were expected to maintain due respect towards their seniors while discharging their duties, while also stressing that provocative remarks and inappropriate language had no place in professional administrative engagements.
“The matter would be taken to its logical conclusion in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations,” the department said.
The clarification did not provide a detailed account of the exchange or specify what action, if any, was being considered. With the department confirming that the complete recording is available with NIC, examination of the full footage could help establish the context and sequence of events.
The controversy has also drawn political reactions. PDP leader Iltija Mufti criticised the language allegedly used by Ranjan and called for action against him. In a post on X, she described the reported remarks as derogatory and demeaning and raised concerns about the treatment of Kashmiri officers within the administration.
Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah also criticised the incident, framing it as a question of dignity and accountability within the administration. In a post on X, he alleged that the senior officer had threatened the woman officer’s career after she sought an opportunity to explain her position.
The JKAS Fraternity has condemned the alleged verbal abuse and sought an impartial inquiry. The Jammu and Kashmir Employees Joint Action Committee has also called for a time-bound investigation and appropriate action if the allegations are established. Employee representatives have stressed the need to verify the authenticity and full context of the circulating footage and ensure that the woman officer is not subjected to retaliatory action.
