Punjabi Morcha Day 12: Sikh Council Sandwell (UK), JK Sharnarthi Action Committee, Gurdwara Committees, Educational Trust and Media Organisations Extend Support
All J&K Sikh Sangat Donates Record 118 Units of Blood, Surpassing Decade-Old Record of 110 Units; Taranjit Singh Tony Slams Dy CM Over Remarks on Morcha
Punjabi Morcha Day 12: Sikh Council Sandwell (UK), JK Sharnarthi Action Committee, Gurdwara Committees, Educational Trust and Media Organisations Extend Support
All J&K Sikh Sangat Donates Record 118 Units of Blood, Surpassing Decade-Old Record of 110 Units; Taranjit Singh Tony Slams Dy CM Over Remarks on Morcha
Jammu, Oct 12
The indefinite Punjabi Language Dharna/Morcha launched by the All J&K Sikh Sangat entered its twelfth consecutive day on Monday, with support continuing to pour in from Sikh organisations, refugee representatives, educational institutions and media bodies for the demand to grant Punjabi official language status in Jammu and Kashmir.
The movement received significant endorsements from *Sikh Council Sandwell, United Kingdom; Jammu Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee (JKSAC); Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Chack Mohanpur; Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Village Goondla, R.S. Pura; Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Musa Chak, R.S. Pura; Self Educational Trust (Regd.); and JK Media Network Pvt. Ltd., associated with JKL24x7 News and Gulistan News.* These endorsements reflect growing support for the recognition of Punjabi as an official language of the Union Territory.
The Sikh Council Sandwell, a representative body of Sikhs and Gurdwaras across Sandwell in the United Kingdom, formally expressed solidarity with the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir and its peaceful campaign for Punjabi language recognition.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, the council raised concern over Punjabi’s continued exclusion from the Union Territory’s official languages. It described the demand as legitimate and historically grounded, emphasising linguistic equality, cultural preservation and constitutional justice.
The council maintained that recognition of Punjabi was not a demand for special treatment or political favour, but a matter of equal rights and respect for a linguistic and cultural identity that has been integral to Jammu and Kashmir for generations. It also highlighted Punjabi’s deep historical, cultural and religious roots in the region and its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
The *Jammu Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee (JKSAC)*, a non-political organisation representing displaced persons who migrated from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 1947, has extended its wholehearted support to the ongoing Punjabi Morcha.
In its communication dated October 12, 2026, the organisation declared its full-fledged support for the Sikh community’s demand to recognise Punjabi as an official language in Jammu and Kashmir.
The endorsement is significant as it brings the voice of the displaced community into the growing movement for linguistic recognition. The Morcha welcomed the support, describing it as an encouraging step towards building wider public solidarity for the preservation and promotion of Punjabi.
Adding further strength to the movement, *Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Chack Mohanpur; Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Village Goondla, R.S. Pura; and Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Musa Chak, R.S. Pura*, extended their support to the demand for Punjabi to be recognised as an official language of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Gurdwara bodies highlighted the importance of preserving Punjabi as a language deeply connected with Sikh religious traditions, community heritage and the cultural identity of the region. They emphasised the need to protect the language for future generations and supported the peaceful campaign seeking its rightful recognition.
The Morcha expressed gratitude to the Gurdwara committees for standing with the movement and reinforcing the community’s collective demand.
The *Self Educational Trust (Regd.)* also extended support to the All J&K Sikh Sangat Morcha, urging the government to recognise Punjabi as an official language of Jammu and Kashmir. The trust stressed the importance of preserving and promoting the language as an essential part of the region’s heritage.
Meanwhile, *JK Media Network Pvt. Ltd., represented by Chairman I. Subash Chowdhary and associated with JKL24x7 News and Gulistan News*, expressed support for the demand raised by the All J&K Sikh Sangat.
The Morcha welcomed these endorsements, stating that support from educational institutions, media organisations, Sikh bodies and representatives of displaced communities demonstrates the broader cultural and social significance of the Punjabi language issue.
The All J&K Sikh Sangat strongly criticised Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary over his reported remarks describing the Punjabi Language Morcha as politically motivated.
*Taranjit Singh Tony, Chairman of Gurdwara Rani Talab, Digiana, and a prominent voice of the Morcha, rejected the characterisation of the agitation as political posturing.* He asserted that the campaign was peaceful, democratic and constitutional, driven by the demand for linguistic recognition rather than political considerations.
Tony maintained that the movement was not directed against any language, community or political party. Instead, it sought rightful recognition for Punjabi, which has deep historical, cultural, religious and social connections with Jammu and Kashmir.
He urged the Deputy Chief Minister and the Omar Abdullah-led government to engage constructively with the protesters and address their demand instead of dismissing the agitation.
The Morcha reiterated that the campaign reflects the sentiments of Punjabi-speaking people and the broader objective of preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s linguistic diversity.
In a significant humanitarian achievement, the All J&K Sikh Sangat announced that it had donated *118 units of blood, surpassing the previous decade-old record of 110 units*.
The achievement marks an important milestone for the organisation and highlights its commitment to humanitarian service alongside its peaceful agitation for Punjabi language rights.
The Sangat said the blood donation initiative reflects its dedication to serving humanity, supporting those in need and contributing positively to society. It also underlined that the Morcha’s activities extend beyond its central demand to include public welfare and community service.
The All J&K Sikh Sangat once again appealed to the Omar Abdullah-led government to bring the Punjabi Language Bill before the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and initiate concrete steps towards granting Punjabi official language status in the Union Territory.
The organisation maintained that Punjabi’s historical presence, cultural contribution and significance to the region’s linguistic diversity warrant due recognition.
As the Morcha entered its twelfth consecutive day, the Sangat reaffirmed its resolve to continue the peaceful agitation until meaningful action is taken on its demand.
The fresh endorsements from Sikh Council Sandwell (UK), Jammu Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee, Gurdwara committees in R.S. Pura, Self Educational Trust and media organisations, coupled with the achievement of donating 118 units of blood, have further strengthened the campaign’s message of linguistic rights, cultural preservation, community solidarity and humanitarian service.
