Punjabi Morcha enters Day 8: Yuva Rajput Sabha backs demand, DGPC thanks entire team; Tony awaits Govt’s announcement
Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust, Jammu Taxi Unions & Transport Bodies Extend Fresh Support to Punjabi Language Demand
Punjabi Morcha enters Day 8: Yuva Rajput Sabha backs demand, DGPC thanks entire team; Tony awaits Govt’s announcement
Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust, Jammu Taxi Unions & Transport Bodies Extend Fresh Support to Punjabi Language Demand
JAMMU, OCTOBER 8: The indefinite Punjabi Language Dharna/Morcha in Jammu entered its eighth consecutive day on Thursday, with the campaign receiving fresh support from social, community and transport organisations across Jammu.
The Yuva Rajput Sabha (J&K) extended its support to the demand for inclusion of Punjabi as an official language of Jammu and Kashmir. The Sabha highlighted Punjabi’s historical and cultural significance in the region and expressed solidarity with the ongoing democratic movement.
Yuva Rajput Sabha President Dilawar Singh Manhas said that Jammu and Kashmir has a rich linguistic and cultural diversity and Punjabi has an important historical and cultural place in the region. He said the demand for inclusion of Punjabi as an official language deserves consideration and expressed the Sabha’s solidarity with the ongoing democratic movement.
DGPC Secretary Surjit Singh and Vice President Balwinder Singh thanked Yuva Rajput Sabha President Dilawar Singh Manhas, Chairman Raghubir Singh Rakhwal and the entire team/board for extending support to the Punjabi language demand. They said the gesture reflected growing support for the issue beyond the Sikh community and underlined the importance of collective social solidarity.
Immediately following the support from Yuva Rajput Sabha, Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust (Regd.) also extended full support and solidarity to the All J&K Sikh Sangat. In its letter, the Trust backed the restoration of Punjabi as an official language of Jammu and Kashmir, describing the language as an important part of the region’s identity, history and cultural heritage. The Trust urged the administration to address the long-pending demand and restore Punjabi’s official status.
In another significant endorsement, the All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations (J&K State), led by President R.K. Kalsotra, extended full and unconditional support to the All J&K Sikh Sangat and its demand for restoration of Punjabi as one of the official languages of Jammu and Kashmir.
In its communication dated September 28, 2026, the Confederation described Punjabi as an important part of Jammu and Kashmir’s composite culture, neighbourhood and heritage. The organisation also stated that it had been raising the issue and holding programmes and deliberations across J&K in support of restoration of Punjabi.
The Confederation further conveyed that it would continue to raise the issue at the national level and assured the Sikh Sangat of its support for the cause.
Fresh support also came from Airport Taxi Drivers Association (Regd.), Civil Airport Jammu-Cantt; Taxi Operators Union, Railway Station Jammu; and Jammu Province Tourist Taxi Operators Federation, which extended their support to the demand for incorporating Punjabi as one of the official languages of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Akhil Bhartiya Transport Association, Bari Brahmana, also conveyed its support to the ongoing movement.
The support from transport and taxi organisations, organisers said, reflects the widening social backing for the demand.
Sikh Nowjawan Sabha, Camp Gole Gujral, Jammu, and Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha also extended support to the Punjabi language demand through written communications.
PDP spokesperson Varinder Singh Sonu reiterated the party’s support for the Punjabi language demand and the ongoing Morcha, maintaining that Punjabi deserves due recognition in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the Morcha organisers said they were awaiting a formal position from the National Conference on the demand, particularly after the BJP called for a one-day special session and announced that its 29 MLAs would support the Punjabi Language Bill.
Taranjit Singh Tony, Chairman, Gurdwara Rani Talab, Digiana, welcomed the fresh endorsements and particularly thanked the Yuva Rajput Sabha, Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust, R.K. Kalsotra-led SC/ST/OBC Confederation, taxi unions, transport bodies and other organisations for standing with the demand.
Tony reiterated that the Morcha would continue its peaceful, democratic and constitutional campaign and appealed to the Omar Abdullah-led government to take the necessary steps towards bringing the Punjabi Language Bill before the Assembly.
The organisers said the movement would continue until a positive decision is taken on the demand for official recognition of Punjabi in Jammu and Kashmir.
