Jammu,20-03-2025: During a session of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the Speaker directed National Conference MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani to express his views in Urdu instead of Kashmiri while discussing a supplementary question related to the establishment of a hotel management institute in Pahalgam. As Wani began addressing the House in Kashmiri, the Speaker intervened, emphasizing that the language barrier posed challenges for reporters covering the proceedings.
In response, Wani questioned the directive by pointing out that Jammu-based MLAs were permitted to speak in Dogri. “Sir, when they can speak in Dogri, why can’t I?” he remarked, highlighting concerns over linguistic inclusivity within the Assembly. However, the Speaker did not engage further in the discussion and moved on to the next question, without addressing Wani’s assertion.
The exchange briefly underscored the linguistic diversity of Jammu and Kashmir and raised questions about language representation in legislative discussions.