Bashir Assad
Jammu, Feb 24: Apath-etical attitude of the government and the administration against the official language Urdu which has been almost abandoned as means of official communication, is likely to come up for discussion before the State Legislative Assembly during the forthcoming Budget Session.
Though the inclusion of Dogri language in the 8th schedule of the constitution seems to be a matter of satisfaction but at the same time there is a concern among sections of the society for the neglect of the Urdu language which is constitutionally the state language and as a very important means of communication is losing its significance-thanks to the official apathy.
The issue was raised during the last budget session by the opposition People’s Democratic Party and a resolution was brought in by MLA Pahalgam Rafi Ahmad Mir, however, the resolution could not figure in the business of the house. Many people have shown their concern over the neglect of the Urdu language. It is in this backdrop the PDP legislator and MLA Darhal, Choudry Zulfkar has submitted a Bill to the assembly secretariat seeking amendment to the sections, 31, 40, 64 and 97 of the constitution of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to restore the pristine glory of the Urdu language.
In the statement of objects and reasons, Zulfkar has mentioned that section 145 of the constitution of J&K provides that the Urdu shall be the official language of the state but English language shall be used for the official work as it was used prior to the commencement of the constitution, the state legislature have the powers to use the official language Urdu for the official work if they desire so.
The Urdu, Zulfkar mentions, is a very important means of communication being spoken in all parts of the state irrespective of the mother language or the regional language. The Urdu was accepted as an important language and has been given importance during the reign of the Maharaja Partap Singh, but unfortunately the Urdu is losing its significance day by day.
While expressing his reservations over ministers, high court judges and even Governor taking oath of the office and secrecy in English, Zulfkar says there is strong concern among the citizens of the state regarding neglect of Urdu language by the constitutional functionaries who swear by the same constitution which declares Urdu as the official language of the state.
while proposing amendment to the section 31 of the constitution of J&K, Zulfkar submits that the section be substituted by the following: "The governor and every person discharging the functions of the governor shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe in the presence of the chief justice of the high court or in his absence, the senior most judge of that court available, an oath or affirmation in Urdu language". However, it remains to be seen whether the bill is allowed for introduction at the initial stage.
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