Gujjars seek support of all for Gojri�s inclusion in 8th schedule

Excelsior CorrespondentJAMMU, Dec 23: Welcoming the State� Government�s initiative� recommending� Gojri� for inclusion in Indian constitution, the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir today sought� support of all political parties, media groups, influential dignitaries and community living across country to pave a way for constitutional amendment to include this tribal language in the list of� protected languages.The community members were assembled in a meeting organised by� Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation-a frontal organization of Gujjars , to discuss further course of action. They asked whole community residing in twelve states of India to join hands together for a long drawn struggle� for� recognition of� their mother tongue at national level.Dr Javaid Rahi , Secretary , Tribal Foundation said "We consider this recommendation� as a significant step towards preservation and promotion of Gojri language and Gujjar culture which has a 5000-year-old history at his back,".He expressed gratitudes to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for writing a favourable recommendation to Home Minister of India seeking inclusion of Gojri in the list of Official Languages of India on the bases of its importance and� merit.Dr Rahi claimed that� Gojri language was� the first language of� millions of people in south Asia residing� in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan and� in J&K more than 25 percent� of total population speaks Gojri. �Keeping in view its merit, importance and a strong literary traditions including folk and oral traditions,� Gojri has a strong locus standi for its inclusion in the 8thSchedule,� he stressed.