Kashmiri Language Union Submits Memorandum Seeking Inclusion of Kashmiri in Chenab Valley Schools

Doda, July 25: The Kashmiri Language Union (KLU) on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Doda, demanding the immediate inclusion of Kashmiri as a subject in schools located in Kashmiri-speaking areas of the Jammu division, particularly in the Chenab Valley, where the language is spoken by a majority of the population.

The Union reiterated its long-standing position that Kashmiri should be implemented in Kashmiri-speaking areas and Dogri in Dogri-speaking areas, based on actual linguistic demographics, rather than a blanket or symbolic policy. The memorandum comes amid growing concerns over the lack of meaningful implementation of existing government orders related to regional language inclusion in school education.

Speaking to The Chenab Times, prominent language activist Anzer Ali Zargar of the KLU said, “In districts like Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban, over 60% of the population speaks Kashmiri. And yet, children have no opportunity to learn their mother tongue in school. This is not just about language — it’s about identity, equity, and educational justice.”

“We’re not opposing the inclusion of Dogri where it is actually spoken. Our demand is simple: implement Dogri in Dogri-speaking areas, and Kashmiri in Kashmiri-speaking areas. The government has already recognised this in principle through Order No. 333-Edu of 2017 — but it remains unimplemented,” he added.

The memorandum also raised concerns over a recent directive issued by the Directorate of School Education, Jammu (Ref No. JD/JSK/2025/1221-33, dated July 24, 2025), which requires Chief Education Officers to submit data regarding the implementation of the Three-Language Formula, including details on third-language subjects, student enrolment, and teacher availability.

“The July 24 order is a welcome move if it signals intent to act,” said Zargar. “But how do you expect schools to report enrolment and teacher strength for languages that haven’t even been introduced? This is like asking for the harvest before sowing the seeds.”

Accompanying Zargar during the memorandum submission were KLU activists Wasim Ahmed, Khalid Hussain, Rahat Anjum, and Mohd Arsalan, who jointly called for time-bound implementation and appointment of trained language teachers in Kashmiri-speaking belts of the Chenab region.

Separately, Advocate Altaf Hussain Janjua, a prominent voice for Pahari language rights, also reacted to the July 24 circular in a social media post, criticising the Directorate for excluding Pahari from the list of languages mentioned under the Three-Language Formula. In a statement, he called the omission “deeply regrettable,” pointing out that Pahari is spoken by over 1.5 million people in Jammu & Kashmir and is already taught up to Class 8 under JKBOSE, as well as at university levels. He urged the department to “revisit its decision” and recognise the linguistic and literary significance of Pahari in the region.

The KLU’s memorandum urges the Chief Education Officer to coordinate with the Directorate to operationalise Government Order No. 333-Edu of 2017, which mandates the inclusion of Kashmiri and Dogri as compulsory language subjects for Classes 9 and 10, depending on the regional language profile.

So far, no formal response has been issued by the Directorate. However, education department sources suggest that further consultations may follow in light of the new directive on the Three-Language Formula.

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Anzer Ayoob

Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times