Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 23: Prominent writers, poets, research scholars, intellectuals, lawyers and office bearers of various literary and cultural organizations have decided to intensify the ongoing agitation against the blatant discrimination against Dogri language by denying its legitimate representation in the Central Committee, the apex body of Jammu and Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
This was resolved at a meeting convened by Dogri Sanstha Jammu (Regd) held at Dogri Bhawan Karan Nagar here wherein various decisions were taken unanimously to seek justice for the second largest speaking language of the State and mother tongue of Dogras by the participating intellectuals.
Announcing the decisions Joginder Pal Chhatrapa, president of Dogri Sanstha, said that the agitation would be reinforced in a phased manner. In first phase, Governor N N Vohra and CM Mehbooba Mufti, Chief patron the president of JKAACL, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and leaders of various political parties shall be approached to highlight the demand of due representation to Dogri in the apex decision making body of JKAACL.
In the second phase, a sit-in demonstration shall be held by the intellectuals and writers of various languages outside the office of Secretary of the Akademy on the first day of reopening of Civil Secretariat at Jammu. In case of continued non-cooperation by the authorities of JKAACL to give representation to Dogri in its apex body, the writers affiliated to Dogri Sanstha would start returning their awards given by JKAACL, he added.
Various speakers expressed their shock and resentment against the utter discrimination meted out to Dogri by JKAACL and unequivocally supported the agitation.
Dr Lalit Magotra, former president of Sanstha and Convener (Dogri) at Sahitya Akademi New Delhi said that some vested elements in JKAACL have been following the anti-Dogri agenda and misguiding their president. They are creating confusion by emphasizing that Dogri is given due representation in General Council rather than accepting their mistake of denying representation to Dogri in Central Committee. General council is a non-existant body of Akademy which has not held any meeting in last three decades. It is a glaring example of blatant discrimination with Dogri that all the members of Central committee,barring one artist, belong to Kashmir, he added.
Assuring the full support of Bar Association and its various bodies, the senior advocates of J&K High Court, Ashok Vijay Gupta and Hari Chand Jalmeria said that struggle is inevitable to seek justice for any cause of Dogri and Dogra community in the present dispensation.
Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee and noted theatre director Mushtak Kak, noted music director Brij Mohan,Prof Archanaa Kesar of Dogri Department,Jammu University, Randhir Singh Raipuria political and social activist, Gianeshwar Sahitya Akademi awardee and vice president Dogri Sanstha, Sham Talib, founder President Adabi Kunj, Sham Juneja ,Hindi writer , Tarun Sharma, president Nat Manch and Rajinder Ranjha of Dogri Bhasha Academy also spoke on the occasion.
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