Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 23: Terming it the “voice of shared heritage,” the J&K Urdu Council today asserted that the promotion of other languages should not be at the cost of Urdu.
Addressing a press conference here, President of the Council and noted legal expert A.R. Hanjoora said that Urdu, being deeply rooted in the cultural and administrative fabric of J&K, must not be sidelined under the pretext of promoting other languages.
Click here to watch video
He also noted that Urdu must remain a mandatory subject, especially in the recruitment of posts such as Naib Tehsildars and other land-related officials.
“Urdu is not just a language, it’s the voice of our shared heritage. A majority of people in Jammu and Kashmir read and speak Urdu, and its contribution to the region’s cultural and administrative development is immense,” he said. “Urdu’s role in land administration cannot be ignored.”
He highlighted that Urdu was adopted as the official language by the Dogra Maharajas and continues to be the primary medium of official communication.
“The entire land revenue records are maintained in Urdu, and even after decades, departments are still struggling to get them translated into other languages,” he added.
Hanjoora further pointed out that in subordinate courts and police stations across J&K, most of the proceedings are still conducted in Urdu. “We are not against the promotion of other languages, but it should not happen at the cost of Urdu’s demotion,” he cautioned.
He emphasized that Urdu must not only be given symbolic status but should be actively restored as a functional administrative and official language across Government institutions in J&K.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
