| News Details |
| Bhalla hails J&K Govt's assurance on official status for Punjabi and Gojri languages | |
Jammu, October 15 (Scoop News)-Bhalla hails J&K Govt's assurance on official status for Punjabi, Gojri languages,
says recognition of mother tongues essential to preserving cultural heritage, linguistic identity and rich traditions of J&K
Jammu: JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla today welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir Government's written assurance to include Punjabi and Gojri among the official languages of the Union Territory, describing the development as an important step towards recognising the linguistic diversity and cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bhalla said that the demand for granting official-language status to Punjabi has been raised repeatedly, as the language represents a rich cultural and literary tradition and remains an integral part of the lives of a significant section of the population in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised that the mother tongue is not merely a medium of communication but a vital link connecting generations with their history, traditions, values and cultural identity.
He said that he had consistently advocated the inclusion of Punjabi among the official languages of J&K, stressing that the language deserves due recognition in view of its historical presence and cultural significance in the region. He added that recognising Punjabi at the official level would help strengthen efforts to preserve and promote the language among younger generations.
Welcoming the government's assurance, Bhalla said that the inclusion of Gojri alongside Punjabi would also acknowledge the linguistic and cultural contributions of communities whose languages form an important part of Jammu and Kashmir's diverse heritage. He observed that every language carries its own literary richness, folk traditions and collective memories, which must be protected and passed on to future generations.
Bhalla said that Jammu and Kashmir's strength lies in its diversity, and the promotion of regional languages should be viewed as an instrument of cultural preservation, social inclusion and mutual respect. He stressed that no language should be allowed to decline because of a lack of institutional support or recognition.
He further said that official recognition should be accompanied by practical measures to promote these languages through education, literary activities, cultural institutions, publications and other appropriate platforms. Encouraging the younger generation to learn and use their mother tongues would help preserve traditional knowledge, folk literature and the cultural heritage associated with different communities.
The JKPCC Working President also emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to the promotion of all regional languages of Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring that the linguistic identity of every community receives due consideration. He said that preserving languages is a shared responsibility of the government, educational institutions, cultural organisations and society at large.
Bhalla expressed hope that the written assurance would be translated into concrete legislative action at the earliest, enabling Punjabi and Gojri to receive the recognition sought by their speakers. He said that meaningful implementation would be essential to ensure that the commitment results in lasting benefits for the people.
Concluding, Bhalla said that protecting the mother tongue means protecting the roots of a community, its history and its identity. He reiterated that Punjabi's recognition as an official language would be a significant step towards preserving the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir while strengthening the region's tradition of linguistic diversity and coexistence.
... |
| |
|
|
Share this Story |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|