JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 29: A strong demand for the inclusion of Punjabi as an official language of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir was raised today by Taranjit Singh Tony, Chairman, Gurdwara Rani Talab, Digiana, during a press conference held in Jammu.
Addressing the media, Tony said that Punjabi is not merely a language but an important part of the cultural, historical and social heritage of Jammu & Kashmir, and therefore deserves its rightful place in the official language framework of the Union Territory.
Tony said that the Jammu & Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 recognises Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi and English as official languages, while Punjabi finds mention in the framework in the context of its promotion and development. However, Punjabi has not been included among the official languages. He said the Sikh Sangat considers this an issue that deserves serious and immediate attention from the concerned authorities. “Punjabi is our language, our identity and an inseparable part of the heritage of Jammu & Kashmir. We are not asking for anything unreasonable. We are demanding that Punjabi be given its due place in the official language framework of J&K,” Tony said.
He asserted that the Sikh Sangat has raised the issue through peaceful and democratic means and will continue to pursue the demand with determination. He said the community will not allow the demand for Punjabi language recognition to be ignored or kept pending indefinitely. Tony further announced that if the demand is not addressed, the Sikh Sangat will launch an indefinite dharna near the Maharaja Hari Singh Statue in Jammu in coming days. He made it clear that the proposed agitation will remain peaceful and democratic, but will continue until the authorities seriously consider the demand and take appropriate steps. As part of the next phase of the campaign, a rally will be held tomorrow at 4 PM, starting from Gurdwara Rani Talab, Digiana. The Sikh Sangat has appealed to members of the community and all those who support the preservation and recognition of Punjabi language and culture to participate in the rally and make the demand heard.
Tony said the campaign is about preserving linguistic identity and ensuring that Punjabi receives the recognition that the Sikh Sangat believes it deserves within Jammu & Kashmir.
He emphasised that the movement will continue through peaceful democratic means and that the Sangat will remain united on the issue. “The Sikh Sangat will not rest until our demand for the inclusion of Punjabi is properly addressed. Punjabi is our language, Punjabi is our identity, and Punjabi deserves its due place in Jammu & Kashmir,” Tony said. The press conference was attended by Harbaksh Singh, President, Rani Talab Gurdwara; Vrinder Singh, Cashier, Rani Talab Gurdwara; Gurmeet Singh Tara, President, Sanjay Nagar; Gurmukh Singh, President, Nanak Nagar; Retd. Commissioner Bachan Singh; Mohinder Singh, Ex-President; Karanjeet Singh, President, Digiana Gurdwara; Balbir Singh; Nasib Singh; and Jasbir Singh Jassa, among others.
The Sikh Sangat reiterated its demand for the inclusion of Punjabi in the Jammu & Kashmir Official Languages framework, stating that the campaign will continue with a clear and united message: “Punjabi is our language, Punjabi is our identity, and Punjabi deserves its due place in J&K.”
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