Members of the Sikh community have intensified their demand for granting Punjabi the status of an official language in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Protests and sit-ins have been organized in Jammu, with community representatives and civil society members pressing for the inclusion of Punjabi in the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020. This Act currently recognizes Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, and English as official languages, but notably excludes Punjabi.
The demand for Punjabi’s recognition is not new, having been a point of contention since discussions around the language legislation in 2020. Sikh organizations had previously objected to Punjabi’s omission and had held protests seeking its inclusion. The issue resurfaced in 2022 and has continued to be raised by community representatives, including a delegation that met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in 2024 to discuss matters concerning the Sikh community, with a specific emphasis on the promotion of Punjabi.
Alongside the demand for official language status, the community is also seeking greater opportunities for students to study Punjabi in government schools. Representatives argue that increased access to Punjabi education would help preserve the language’s literary and cultural connections among younger generations.
Recent demonstrations, including a “Jammu Punjabi Morcha,” have seen participation from various social organizations and civil society leaders. Protesters have criticized what they describe as the continued neglect of Punjabi and issues pertinent to the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir. They emphasize that Punjabi represents their identity, heritage, and mother tongue, and called for its immediate restoration as an official language.
The indefinite dharna demanding official language status for Punjabi in Jammu and Kashmir has entered its eighth consecutive day, garnering support from numerous social, community, and transport organizations. Various bodies, including the Yuva Rajput Sabha (J&K), have backed the demand, citing Punjabi’s historical and cultural significance in the region. Political parties, such as the PDP, have also reiterated their support for the demand and the ongoing protests.
Organizers have warned that the agitation would be intensified through democratic and peaceful means if their demands are not addressed. They aim to continue the movement until a decision is taken on granting Punjabi official language status in Jammu and Kashmir. The community has expressed concerns that the exclusion of Punjabi from the official languages bill is an attempt to impose cultural hegemony and urged the central government to review its decision, which they perceive as discriminatory against a minority community. Historical records, including census data from 1941 and 1951, are cited to demonstrate Punjabi’s long-standing presence and importance in the region’s composite culture.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
