Support pouring in for Punjabi Language demand as Indefinite Dharna/ Morcha Enters Day 3
Shiv Sena UBT, Apni Party, PDP leaders, Sikh Nowjawan Sabha & Digital Media extend support
Support pouring in for Punjabi Language demand as Indefinite Dharna/ Morcha Enters Day 3
Shiv Sena UBT, Apni Party, PDP leaders, Sikh Nowjawan Sabha & Digital Media extend support
Jammu, Oct 3
Support continued to pour in for the Sikh Sangat’s demand for official status to Punjabi in Jammu & Kashmir as the indefinite dharna in Jammu entered its third day on Friday, with political leaders, community organisations, youth groups and representatives from different sections of society extending solidarity with the ongoing peaceful campaign.
The demand is being pursued through peaceful, constitutional and democratic means, with the Sikh Sangat seeking consideration of Punjabi for official-language status in Jammu & Kashmir.
The campaign received support from Shiv Sena (UBT), Jammu & Kashmir, with State President Manish Sahni visiting the dharna site and expressing solidarity with the demand.
Sahni extended his organisation’s support to the campaign and presented a Kirpan to Sikh Sangat, as a gesture of solidarity. Support letters advocating recognition of Punjabi were also submitted in English and Punjabi, reiterating the demand for its inclusion in the official-language framework of Jammu & Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, Manjit Singh, Provincial President, Apni Party, extended support to the ongoing campaign and said that the party stood with the demand for recognition of Punjabi. Manjit Singh also conveyed that Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari would visit the dharna and extend his support to the demand.
Varinder Singh, PDP spokesperson, also extended support to the campaign and informed the gathering that PDP President Mehbooba Mufti would also visit and extend her support to the demand.
The All Jammu Kashmir Sikh Nowjawan Sabha also extended support to the indefinite dharna and the demand for official status for Punjabi. President Ramandeep Singh, along with his committee, expressed solidarity with the campaign and extended their support to the Sikh Sangat.
The AAS Digital Media also extended support to the ongoing campaign, adding its voice to the call for greater recognition and promotion of Punjabi language, literature and cultural heritage in Jammu & Kashmir.
Among those associated with the ongoing campaign were former Minister Manjit Singh, President J&K Jat Sabha; former Corporator Dwarka Choudhary; Sardar Surjit Singh, Secretary, DGPC; S. Surinder Singh, Punjabi scholar; S. Dalip Singh Ji, Sainik Colony; Advocate Deeplka Poshkar Nath; Gaurav Kapoor, Auto-Rickshaw Union; Gurjeet Singh, Dhaba Mishriwala; Pavneet Kour; RTI activist Balwinder Singh; 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 different 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.
The organisers said that the participation of people from different generations and sections of society reflected the continuing importance of the Punjabi language issue.
As part of the continuing campaign, the organisers announced a rally in Sainik Colony tomorrow at 9:00 AM, calling upon members of the community and supporters to participate peacefully.
The Sikh Sangat reiterated that the campaign would continue through peaceful, constitutional and democratic channels and appealed to political representatives, civil society groups and members of the public to support the demand for recognition and promotion of Punjabi in Jammu & Kashmir.
The organisers have also been seeking support from elected representatives for consideration of a Punjabi resolution during the forthcoming Winter Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly.
