Big rally taken out in Jammu over official status demand for Punjabi language
Big rally taken out in Jammu over official status demand for Punjabi language
Peaceful protest on Thursday; Tony appeals people to join
JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 30: A rally was held in Jammu today by members of the Sikh Sangat demanding the inclusion of Punjabi as an official language of Jammu & Kashmir.
The rally, which began from Gurdwara Rani Talab, Digiana, passed through Preet Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Sanjay Nagar and Digiana, before concluding at the Gurdwara with Prashad distribution. The rally witnessed participation from women, children, youth, senior citizens and people from different walks of life. Participants carried placards and raised slogans in support of recognition and promotion of the Punjabi language.
The rally saw the participation of several prominent personalities, community representatives, social workers and public figures, including former Minister Manjit Singh, President J&K Jat Sabha; former Corporator Dwarka Choudhary; DGPC member Sardar Surjit Singh; RTI activist Balwinder Singh; Pavneet Kour; Sarpanch Avtar Singh Shunty; Youth leader Narinder Sharma; Balwinder Singh Rinku; and Tahir Ali, among others.
Several members of the Sikh community and representatives of various Gurudwaras also participated, including Harbaksh Singh, President, Rani Talab Gurdwara; Vrinder Singh, Cashier, Rani Talab Gurdwara; Gurmeet Singh Tara, President, Sanjay Nagar; Gurmukh Singh, President, Nanak Nagar; Retd. Commissioner Bachan Singh; Mohinder Singh, Ex-President; Karanjeet Singh, President, Digiana Gurdwara; Balbir Singh; Nasib Singh; Sarpanch Yusuf from District Doda; and Jasbir Singh Jassa, among others.
Addressing the gathering, Taranjit Singh Tony, Chairman, Gurdwara Rani Talab, Digiana, reiterated the demand for inclusion of Punjabi in the official language framework of J&K.
Tony said the participation of women, children, youth and elders reflected that the issue of Punjabi language is being discussed across generations within the community.
“Today’s rally has brought together people from different age groups and sections of society. Our demand is for consideration of Punjabi within the official language framework of Jammu & Kashmir. We will continue to pursue this issue through peaceful and democratic means,” Tony said.
He said the community would continue to approach the concerned authorities and place its demand through constitutional and democratic channels.
Tony also announced a peaceful protest tomorrow at 11:30 AM at the Maharaja Hari Singh Statue in Jammu in connection with the demand for inclusion of Punjabi in the official language framework of Jammu & Kashmir.
The organisers said the protest would be conducted peacefully and urged members of the community to participate.
The rally concluded with participants reiterating their call for greater recognition and promotion of the Punjabi language, along with preservation of its linguistic, literary and cultural heritage in Jammu & Kashmir.
