 EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Sept 15: Condemning the Central Government's denial and exclusion of Punjabi language in the new J&K Official Language Bill 2020, Supreme Sikh Organization (SSO) Jammu & Kashmir staged a huge protest march here today outside BJP office.
The protest was held in association with all Sikh groups, trusts, eminent writers, members from Valmiki community and other distinguished alumni of Punjabi Sahitya.
Protesters submitted a detailed memorandum demanding inclusion of Punjabi language in the Bill. The memorandum was designated for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Condemning the central government decision, Gurmeet Singh, Chairperson of Supreme Sikh Organization (SSO), highlighted the 300 year old significance and legacy of Punjabi language and its dialects in J&K. Punjabi is an inseparable part of both the communities in Punjab and J&K.
He further stated that around 20 lakh population group living in J&K recognize themselves with Punjabi language and they have a strong religious, spiritual, social and cultural connect with it. Since ages writers of Punjabi Sahitya from J&K have been writing books in Shahmukhi and Gurmukhi scripts of Punjabi language. Punjabi under 8th Schedule of the Indian constitution is not only the official language of India but it is also recognized by many developed countries like Canada, UK, Australia as their second, third and fourth official language. As per the census of 1941 and 1951 the chief languages used in the erstwhile J&K state were Kashmiri, Dogri and Punjabi. Also, till 1981, Punjabi was a compulsory subject like Urdu in J&K.
He called the exclusion of Punjabi language from J&K Official language Bill 2020 a direct assault on the identity and the culture of Punjabi speaking population in J&K.
Criticizing the decision of exclusion of Punjabi language, Gurmeet Singh, along with spokespersons of other organizations also reminded the current political dispensation of the contribution of Sikh community in the creation of the erstwhile state of J&K.
The entire Sikh community and various Sikh organizations have threatened the government of dire consequences if their demand of inclusion of Punjabi language in the J&K official language Bill 2020 is not met.
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