| Govt forgets Hindi, promotes Gojri, Pahari, Balti, Kashmiri | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 20: At a time when government is taking all requisite measures to uplift other languages in the state, the plight of Hindi continues to remain dreadful in J&K.
On Thursday, in a bid to give impetus to Gojri language, the government decided that the state universities would start Gojri subject at Post Graduation (PG) and Under Graduate (UG) level.
This decision was taken during a meeting held at Civil Secretariat under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary Department of Higher Education, Asgar Hassan Samoon. During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on different issues pertaining to introduction of Gojri Subject at PG and UG level in various universities.
Besides, several important directions were issued by the Principal Secretary to different universities including University of Jammu, University of Kashmir, Cluster University, Jammu/ Srinagar, BGSB University besides Islamic University.
However, what the government is forgetting is that it has outrightly undermined the importance of Hindi language in the state, with experts cautioning that such a non-serious approach would lead to the gradual extinction of the Hindi language and literature in the state.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir which is multi-lingual state having mix population speaking Hindi, Urdu, Gojri, Pahari, Balti, Shinam Dardi, Ladakhi, Dogri, Punjabi etc, one language cannot bridge the gap communication in official correspondence especially when the communication is inter- district.
The state authorities while hinting at rejecting any such plea that would stress over the introduction of Hindi language in offices have stated that Section 145 of the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir deals with the official language of the state. The Section reads: "The official language of the state shall be Urdu but the English shall, unless the legislature by law otherwise provides, continue to be used for all official purposes of the state for which it was to be used immediately before the commencement of the constitution."
The cold response of the government over introducing Hindi language as one of the official languages in the state besides Urdu and English is tantamount to rejecting a very basic right of state's large chunk of the population that speaks, writes and understands Hindi. Though there has been several instances when the measures for the induction of Hindi language were taken, the dilatory approach of the helmsmen here has acted as a major spoilsport in the entire process.
Furthermore, what is more ironic is that the state dispensation has no record of the Hindu speaking population in the state, reflecting how this language is accorded a step motherly treatment.
Reports inform that as the government is taking series of measures for the promotion of other languages in the state, Hindi, with a deliberate attempt is given a step-motherly treatment.
Furthermore, no serious measure has been taken by the government for the wider reach of the Hindi literature and history in Jammu and Kashmir. The reasons for the same haven't been so far revealed. |
|
