Mumbai: The Dogra community in Mumbai expressed support for Jammu residents who are opposing the Jammu and Kashmir administration's rule that makes knowledge of Urdu compulsory for government jobs.
The Jammu region largely speaks Dogri, a language recognised under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Members of the Dogra Samaj Trust, representing the community in Mumbai, said that the union territory's administration was imposing a language that is not native to the region.
Only 4.5% Speak Urdu, Yet It’s Being Imposed: Krishna Pandit
Speaking to the media in Mumbai on Thursday, Krishna Pandit, president of the Dogra Samaj Trust, said that Dogri is spoken by 30 percent of the union territory's population. In comparison, Urdu is the mother language of 4.5 percent of the population. The majority of the population in the Kashmir valley speaks Kashmiri.
"Yet, the administration wants to impose Urdu on us. Previously, knowledge of Urdu was necessary as official documents were written in the language. All government records have now been digitised and are in English and Hindi," said Pandit.
Dogra Samaj Trust leaders in Mumbai address media on J&K language row | File Photo
CAT Stay on Urdu Clause in Naib-Tahsildar Recruitment Rules
On July 15, a Jammu bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal stayed the operation of provisions in the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009, which make graduation with knowledge of Urdu a qualification for the post of Naib-Tahsildar in the union territory.
Candidates Can Now Apply with Knowledge of Any Official Language
The tribunal directed the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board to accept applications from candidates with knowledge of any of the five official languages listed in Jammu and Kashmir: Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi, English, and Gojri.
Dogra Leaders Demand Linguistic Equality Post Article 370 Abrogation
Nidhi Dogra, advisor to the Dogra Samaj Trust, stated that the removal of Article 370 has made Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of the country. "When the government has recognised five other languages as official, why is Urdu being imposed on us? We are not getting justice in the state," said Dogra, explaining why the community decided to address the media outside the union territory.
Ready to Accept English as Common Language for Unity, Says Mahotra
Gagan Mahotra, vice president of the Dogra Samaj Trust, said that the fight was not between Dogri and Kashmiri. "We want a common language to be recognised for official use. If Kashmir has an objection to Hindi, we are ready to accept English as the common language for administration," said Mahotra.
