Atiya Mujeeb
Jammu, Oct 3: Sikh community representatives in Jammu and Kashmir have renewed their demand for granting Punjabi the status of an official language in the Union Territory, while also seeking greater opportunities for students to study the language in government schools.
The demand has been raised by members of the Sikh community and representatives associated with various Gurdwara management committees in Jammu. They have called for the issue to be taken up with the administration and elected representatives.
Representatives from Gurdwaras in areas including Rani Talab, Talab Tillo, Guru Nanak Nagar, Digiana Ashram, Simbal Camp, Bhor Camp and Gadigarh have been associated with the latest campaign, according to reports.
The issue comes against the backdrop of the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020. Under the Act, Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi and English are recognised as official languages for official purposes in the Union Territory. Punjabi does not figure in that list.
The demand for Punjabi’s inclusion dates back to the discussions around the language legislation in 2020. Sikh organisations had objected to Punjabi being left out of the proposed list of official languages and had held protests seeking its recognition.
The issue was raised again by Sikh organisations in 2022, when they sought official-language status for Punjabi in Jammu and Kashmir.
In 2024, a delegation of the J&K Sikh Coordination Committee also met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and raised issues concerning the Sikh community, including the promotion of Punjabi.
Community representatives have also been seeking greater access to Punjabi education in government schools. They have argued that providing more opportunities to learn the language would help preserve its literary and cultural connection among younger generations.
