Official languages row: Excluding Punjabi language anti minority move: Raina
Srinagar: All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman and J&K Apni Party leader Jagmohan Singh Raina Saturday described exclusion of Punjabi language from Jammu and Kashmir official languages Bill-2020 as an anti-minority move.
While addressing a press conference at Srinagar Press Club, Raina said Punjabi was “part and parcel of Constitution of J&K” before abrogation of Article 370. He said Punjabi was a recognized language duly certified by Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.
Raina said the move has badly bruised the sentiments of minorities more so those belonging to Sikh community. He said Punjabi was a popular language in J&K spoken by lakhs of people.
“By excluding Punjabi language, government of India has taken an extreme step that is bound to cause resentment among minorities. The move is anti-minority and it is natural that people would react sharply to it,” said Raina.
He said if corrective measures are not taken then people especially those belonging to the Sikh community would come on roads and launch an agitation unless and until their demand is not met.
“From this platform we are sending a strong message to union government that they would be responsible for the consequences in case Punjabi language is not given due recognition,” Jagmohan Singh Raina said. (KNT)
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