Punjabi Morcha Day 13: Omar calls for dialogue; Rajya Sabha MP invites Sikh Sangat to Srinagar, Tony Sends Manjit-led delegation<\/p>\n
Fresh Support from SAD (Amritsar), PDP, Religious, Social and Community Organisations Strengthens Demand for Official Language Status for Punjabi in J&K<\/p>\n
Jammu, Oct 13<\/p>\n
The indefinite Punjabi Language Dharna\/Morcha launched by the All J&K Sikh Sangat entered its thirteenth consecutive day on Tuesday, with the campaign gaining fresh momentum through political backing and endorsements from religious institutions, educational bodies and community organisations across Jammu and Kashmir.
\nA significant development emerged with Rajya Sabha MP S. Gurwinder Singh Oberoi extending an invitation, on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to the All J&K Sikh Sangat, DGPC representatives and other community stakeholders for a consultation meeting scheduled to be held in Srinagar on October 14, 2026.
\nAccording to the invitation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reiterated the National Conference government’s commitment to granting Punjabi official language status in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the commitment was also included in the party’s election manifesto. The MP has been authorised to coordinate directly with the Sikh Sangat and key stakeholders to discuss the roadmap ahead.
\nThe proposed consultation has raised hopes among protesters that the ongoing peaceful agitation could lead to meaningful dialogue and concrete steps towards recognising Punjabi as an official language of the Union Territory.
\nTo facilitate discussions and present the community’s concerns before the government, a committee led by former minister Manjit Singh has been constituted by Taranjit Singh Tony. The committee comprises Ranjit Singh Tohra, Surjit Singh, Balvinder Singh, Jagpal Singh, Gurmeet Singh Tara, Verinder Singh Sonu, Paramjit Singh Sodhi, Gurjeet Singh Kingi, Sandeep Kour and Pavneet Kour. The committee will coordinate consultations, consolidate the community’s views and discuss the roadmap for securing official language status for Punjabi.
\nIn a significant show of support, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Jammu and Kashmir, under the leadership of its Acting President S. Imaan Singh Maan, has strongly supported the demand for granting official language status to Punjabi in Jammu and Kashmir. In a letter submitted on October 13, 2026, the party expressed its support for the Punjabi Language Morcha and backed the demand for official recognition of Punjabi, adding to the growing support for the campaign.
\nAdding political weight to the campaign, PDP MLA from Pulwama Waheed Ur Rehman Para has extended wholehearted support to the demand for including Punjabi in the list of official languages of Jammu and Kashmir.
\nIn a letter dated October 12, 2026, Para stated that recognising Punjabi would be a meaningful acknowledgement of the region’s linguistic and cultural heritage and an expression of respect for the Sikh community. His support adds to the political backing for the Morcha’s demand.
\nSeveral religious, cultural and social organisations have formally extended their support to the ongoing agitation.
\nBhim Kranti Sena, Jammu and Kashmir, through its president Sahil Kundal, expressed solidarity with the campaign and supported the preservation, promotion and official recognition of Punjabi. The organisation also emphasised equal respect for linguistic and cultural identities.
\nThe United Forum of Megh\/Kabir Panthi Samaj extended its wholehearted support, describing Punjabi as an important carrier of the region’s cultural, historical and literary heritage. The forum pledged continued cooperation in the collective effort to secure recognition for the language.
\nThe Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Educational Society (BRAES) also endorsed the campaign, stressing that Punjabi has deep historical, cultural and literary roots in Jammu and Kashmir. The society urged the Central Government and the UT administration to grant the language official recognition at the earliest.
\nBatwal Sudhar Sabha, Jammu and Kashmir, submitted a support letter backing the inclusion of Punjabi among the official languages of Jammu and Kashmir. The organisation called on the government to consider the demand positively and take appropriate legal and administrative steps.
\nThe All India Sikh Students Federation, under its president Manjeet Singh Peerpuri, supported the campaign and called for Punjabi to receive official recognition and the necessary administrative backing from the government.
\nReligious institutions have also continued to strengthen the campaign.
\nGurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Greater Kailash, Jammu, through its management committee, formally supported the demand for granting Punjabi official language status in Jammu and Kashmir. In its letter dated October 13, the Sabha highlighted Punjabi’s historical, cultural and religious significance and urged the government to take meaningful steps towards its recognition and promotion.
\nGurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sarwal New Plot, Jammu; Gurdwara Guru Singh Sabha, Chardi Patti, Dablehar, R.S. Pura; and Gurdwara Pahli Patshahi, Dablehar, R.S. Pura, also expressed support for the demand. Their communications emphasised Punjabi’s close association with Sikh religious traditions, community identity and the cultural heritage of the region.
\nThe fresh endorsements reflect the expanding support for the Morcha, with political representatives, religious institutions, educational organisations and community bodies joining the call for official recognition of Punjabi.
\nThe All J&K Sikh Sangat reiterated that its agitation remains peaceful, democratic and constitutional. The campaign seeks recognition for Punjabi and does not oppose any other language or linguistic community.
\nThe Sangat has appealed to the Omar Abdullah-led government to translate its stated commitment into concrete action and initiate the necessary steps towards granting Punjabi official language status in Jammu and Kashmir.
\nThe proposed consultation in Srinagar on October 14 is expected to provide an opportunity for community representatives to present their suggestions and discuss the way forward with the government’s authorised representative.
\nAs the Morcha enters its thirteenth day, the growing support from political leaders, religious institutions, social bodies and educational organisations has strengthened the campaign’s call for linguistic recognition and cultural respect.
\nThe All J&K Sikh Sangat has reaffirmed its resolve to continue its peaceful struggle until meaningful progress is made towards securing official language status for Punjabi in Jammu and Kashmir.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Punjabi Morcha Day 13: Omar calls for dialogue; Rajya Sabha MP invites Sikh Sangat to Srinagar, Tony Sends Manjit-led delegation Fresh Support from SAD (Amritsar), PDP, Religious, Social and Community Organisations Strengthens Demand for Official Language Status for Punjabi in J&K Jammu, Oct 13 The indefinite Punjabi Language Dharna\/Morcha launched by the All J&K Sikh …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[92,33,1284,3200,91,56,3198],"tags":[4161,4340,4334],"class_list":["post-9760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-international","category-international-political-national","category-jammu-kashmir","category-national","category-politics","category-punjab","tag-jammu-congress-leader-taranjit-singh-tony","tag-punjabi-language-agitation","tag-punjabi-language-as-official-language-of-jk"],"yoast_head":"\n