JK BLOs Association Disowns ‘Self-Styled Chairman’, Warns Against Misrepresentation

Convener News Desk 

Srinagar/Jammu, Jan 3: The Jammu and Kashmir Booth Level Officers (BLOs) Association on Friday strongly disowned a recent press note issued by Fayaz Ahmad Rather, accusing him of falsely projecting himself as the “Chairman” of the Association without any constitutional authority, election or mandate.

In a detailed clarification issued by the Association, the elected leadership said the press note circulated by Rather was “misleading, unauthorised and factually distorted”, and warned that any further misrepresentation would invite legal and administrative action.

The Association said Rather has never been elected, nominated or authorised by the general body and that no constitution, resolution or official record of the BLOs Association recognises him in any leadership role. “His claim is self-styled, unconstitutional and misleading, amounting to misrepresentation and impersonation,” the statement said, adding that any statement issued by him in the name of the Association is null and void.

Taking strong exception to what it described as misuse of the Association’s name and platform, the BLOs body said the press note was a unilateral attempt to hijack the identity and credibility of the organisation without consultation or consent of the elected body. “The BLO Association is not a one-man show. It is a democratic, collective and accountable body,” the clarification read.

The Association also pointed out contradictions in the impugned press note, stating that claims of autonomy and transparency stood in sharp contrast to the act of unauthorised self-projection. “One cannot preach institutional discipline while violating it at the very outset,” it said.

Categorically distancing itself from the contents of the disputed statement, the Association said the views expressed by Rather do not reflect its official stand, were never discussed or approved, and do not bind the BLO fraternity in any manner.

For public clarity, the Association reiterated that Tantray Shafi is the only recognised and elected President of the Jammu & Kashmir BLOs Association, UT of J&K, and that all official communications, representations and press statements would emanate only through the elected leadership and authorised platform.

The clarification was also endorsed by the General Secretary of the Association, Sanjeet Sharma, who strongly condemned the unauthorised statement. The Association said that all tehsil-level and district-level presidents have unanimously supported the decision to affiliate the BLOs Association with the Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF), which is affiliated with the All India Secondary School Teachers Federation. It said the decision was taken collectively and democratically to strengthen the voice and welfare of BLOs across the Union Territory.

Issuing a warning, the Association asked Fayaz Ahmad Rather to immediately refrain from using the name, seal or designation of the BLOs Association and to stop issuing statements under false authority. Failure to do so, it said, would compel the Association to initiate appropriate legal, administrative and disciplinary action.

The Association also appealed to the administration and media houses to verify credentials before publishing or acting upon such statements and to recognise only duly elected and authenticated representatives.

Reaffirming its commitment to unity and democratic functioning, the BLOs Association said it would not allow impersonation, self-promotion or institutional sabotage, asserting that accountability would be enforced.