Srinagar, May 2 -- By Raqif Makhdoomi

By the time Jammu and Kashmir's ruling party began attacking Iltija Mufti over her protests on Urdu, the real issue had already started fading from public discussion.

Questions about the removal of Urdu as a mandatory language for revenue officials slowly gave way to television debates, political accusations and carefully staged outrage.

That shift served a purpose.

The ruling Jammu & Kashmir National Conference understood that public anger over Urdu held emotional and political impact. Urdu remains tied to Kashmir's administrative history, literary culture and everyday identity. Public protests around language draw attention quickly, especially when young Kashmiris already feel disconnected from ...