Outrage after J&K exam refers to PoK as 'Azad Kashmir'
Reportedly, an exam paper prepared by the Jammu & Kashmir Government's Service Selection Recruitment Board (SSRB) described Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as 'Azad Kashmir'. Following outrage on social media, the chairman of the board, Simrandeep Singh, nullified the question and ordered an inquiry into the issue. Here's more on what unfolded.
What Simrandeep Singh had to say on the issue
"I was told a question had come in Patwari exam where the term 'Azad Kashmir' was used. Subject expert of geography has been asked to submit a report on same. We've asked him why he shouldn't be penalized," said Singh responding to the faux pas.
Candidates will be given marks for the 'incorrect' question
'Azad Kashmir' is a term coined by Pakistan to address that part of Kashmir which is currently under its occupation illegally. By using the word 'azad', which means free, Pakistan's propaganda machinery tries to justify and legitimize its military presence in parts of Kashmir. Singh said that the question would be treated as incorrect and candidates would be given the marks for the question.
What the controversial question says
"Jammu and Kashmir has an international border with China in the north and east, and the Line of Control separates it from the Pakistan-controlled territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in...," reads the first part of the controversial question, numbered 86 in the entrance exam.
