AAP questions exclusion of Punjabi from J&K’s official languages’ list

JAMMU — D S Ranotra, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, raised the issue against Language Bill passed in September 2020 by Bharatiya Janata Party-led government.

Aam Aadmi Party leader, in a statement to The Kashmir Pulse, said that the new law makes provisions only to cheer the Punjabi language, along with Gurjari and Pahari, but does not include it in J&K’s list of official languages.

He flayed the Centre over the exclusion of Punjabi from the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, describing the move as “anti-minority”.

AAP leader added that 20,000 Crore worth of schemes announced for the people of Jammu and Kashmir is actually for the BJP team of Jammu and Kashmir. He said it’s just a ‘JUMLA-ISM’ of Modi.

He also said that Punjabi was a part and parcel of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir before the abrogation of Article 370 provisions. “Punjabi was a recognized language duly certified by the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.”

The AAP leader said the move had “badly bruised the sentiments of the minorities, more so of those belonging to the Sikh community”. He added that Punjabi was a popular language in Jammu and Kashmir spoken by lakhs of people.

Ranotra condemned the alleged neglect of the Punjabi language in the state. He claimed that first, it was made a non-compulsory subject/language and then all efforts were made by the successive governments to the extinction of the Punjabi language.

“Punjabi language has been given the recognition and guarantee under Article 146, Schedule VI of the J&K Constitution. Thus, it becomes obligatory on the part of the J&K Government to make all efforts for the promotion of Punjabi language in addition to other regional languages,” the statement said.