Srinagar, Oct 15 (UNI): A row erupted after an IAS officer allegedly called a woman Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer “bloody shit” during a heated exchange at an online review meeting.
J&K Labour and Employment Department late Thursday said selectively edited video clips of the review meeting were circulating without the complete context, asserting that the matter would be taken to its logical conclusion as per rules.
The confrontation reportedly began during a meeting on the role of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) and the allocation of responsibilities among officials. The meeting was chaired by 2010-batch IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, currently the Administrative Secretary of the Labour and Employment Department.
During the meeting, the IAS officer questioned the need for NRLM’s involvement in the work and argued that its officials were only meant to assist rather than exercise primary authority.
“If someone else has to do it, what have you done? Have you to write a letter only? And you want medal?” the IAS officer was heard saying in the purported recording.
The JKAS officer Beenish Wani, who is currently posted as Assistant Director, Employment, Ganderbal, responded that NRLM officials were required to extend assistance and attempted to explain her position, but the exchange grew increasingly acrimonious.
“Sir, please let me speak. You are not letting me speak. How can I explain myself?” she said, alleging that she was being shouted down during the discussion.
The situation further deteriorated when the IAS officer asked her to remain quiet. The IAS officer was heard using an abusive expression and telling the woman officer to “shut up”, while asserting his authority over her.
“You are bloody shit? I can always talk to you like this,” the IAS officer said.
JKAS woman officer objected to the abusive language, saying, “You cannot call me shit.” The IAS officer then demanded her immediate suspension, saying, “Madam, enough is enough. She should be suspended right now.”
Responding to the threat of suspension, the woman officer said, “Okay, no problem. You are suspending me,” before the IAS officer repeatedly told her to “get out.” The woman officer retorted, “To hell with you,” following which the IAS officer asked that the exchange be recorded and the remarks made by her be included in the suspension order.
Neither Ranjan nor Beenish could be reached for comments.
J&K Labour and Employment Department said the meeting, chaired by the Secretary, Labour and Employment, on October 14, reviewed departmental performance across all 20 districts, with a focus on the implementation of Mission YUVA.
In a statement, the department said the complete recording of the meeting was available with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), while cautioning that selective editing of internal administrative discussions could create a misleading impression.
It expressed regret over the developments surrounding the meeting and urged the media and public not to circulate unverified or sensationalized content.