PDP backs Punjabi language morcha; organisers say Mehbooba Mufti will join

The indefinite dharna demanding official language status for Punjabi in Jammu & Kashmir entered its fifth day on October 5, with the Sikh Sangat intensifying its peaceful, constitutional and democratic campaign. The Morcha has received support from political leaders, social organisations, scholars, youth representatives, members of different Gurudwaras and community organisations.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended its full support to the ongoing Punjabi Language Morcha. PDP representatives conveyed the party’s support on behalf of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. According to the organisers, Mehbooba Mufti will herself join the Morcha in support of the demand that Punjabi be recognised as an official language of J&K.

Addressing the gathering, Taranjit Singh Tony, Chairman, Gurdwara Rani Talab, Digiana, welcomed the growing support for the campaign. He appealed to the government to act without further delay on the demand for official recognition of Punjabi.

“The government must act before it is too late. This is a genuine linguistic, cultural and constitutional demand. We have chosen the peaceful and democratic path, and we expect the government to respond with the same seriousness,” Tony said.

Tony once again appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his Cabinet and all 90 MLAs to take up the matter in the Cabinet. He urged them to facilitate a resolution on Punjabi during the forthcoming Winter Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly.

He also appealed to all legislators to extend their support to the demand and provide letters backing official recognition for Punjabi. The organisers have been seeking greater recognition, promotion and preservation of the language, its literature and its cultural heritage in Jammu & Kashmir.

“Punjabi has a deep linguistic, literary and cultural heritage in Jammu & Kashmir. We are not asking for anything against anyone. We are asking for recognition of our language and preservation of our heritage,” Tony said.

Representing the PDP, former MLC Mr Qureshi, General Secretary Rajinder Manhas, Virender Singh Sonu, Sunil Bhat, Dr Rohit Gupta, Rajat Randhawa, Narinder Sharma and Ashok Chib extended their support to the ongoing Morcha.

Tony expressed gratitude to the PDP leadership and Mehbooba Mufti for supporting the demand. He said that the participation of political representatives would further strengthen the democratic campaign being pursued by the Sikh Sangat.

The Morcha has also received support from Ashish Anand Bhat, representing the RSS. He emphasised the importance of preserving the Punjabi language and its cultural heritage in J&K.

Narinder Singh Khalsa, J&K President, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), also assured full support to the ongoing struggle for official status for Punjabi.

Among those associated with the campaign are former Minister Manjit Singh, President J&K Jat Sabha; former Corporator Dwarka Choudhary; Sardar Surjit Singh, Secretary, DGPC; S. Balwinder Singh, Punjabi scholar; S. Dalip Singh Ji, Sainik Colony; Advocate Deepika Poshkar Nath; Gaurav Kapoor, Auto-Rickshaw Union; Gurjeet Singh, Dhaba Mishriwala; Pavneet Kour; RTI activist Balwinder Singh; Sarpanch Avtar Singh Shunty; Youth leader Narinder Sharma; Balwinder Singh Rinku; and Tahir Ali, among others.

Representatives of various Gurudwaras and community organisations also participated in the Morcha. They included 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; Sarpanch Yusuf from District Doda; and Jasbir Singh Jassa, among others.

Tony said the participation of people from different generations and backgrounds demonstrated that the demand continues to resonate strongly across the community. He reiterated that the Sikh Sangat would continue pursuing the matter through peaceful, constitutional and democratic channels.

“Our message is clear, Punjabi deserves official recognition. We will continue this peaceful Morcha, but the government should understand the urgency of the matter. The time has come to act before it is too late,” Tony said.

The organisers appealed to the Sikh Sangat and all supporters to maintain peace, discipline and unity during the indefinite dharna. They reiterated their demand for greater recognition, promotion and preservation of Punjabi language, literature and cultural heritage in Jammu & Kashmir.