Stop Targeting Urdu & Kashmiri as Mere Regional Languages, Warns Farooq Abdullah
Efforts to Weaken Urdu & Kashmiri Must Be Resisted, Declares Farooq Abdullah
SRINAGAR, Feb 20: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has raised serious concerns over what he describes as deliberate attempts by certain hostile elements to diminish the importance of Urdu and Kashmiri by wrongfully branding them as mere regional or religious languages.
Speaking ahead of International Mother Language Day on February 21, Abdullah emphasized that language is the soul of a nation, and its preservation is crucial for safeguarding cultural identity. He lamented that many civilizations that neglected their linguistic heritage eventually faded into obscurity, urging the people of Jammu and Kashmir to resist all efforts aimed at diluting their linguistic and cultural legacy.
He further stated that Urdu and Kashmiri are not just modes of communication but symbols of the region’s rich history, heritage, and Kashmiriyat. “For centuries, these languages have been bridges of unity, shaping our shared cultural ethos. Any attempt to weaken them is an attack on our identity,” he asserted.
Abdullah called upon every individual to take personal responsibility for preserving these languages and passing them down to future generations. He stressed that while government initiatives are important, true preservation lies in daily usage, literature, and education at home.
Highlighting the diversity of Jammu and Kashmir, he also underscored the need to protect all spoken languages in the region, including Dogri, Pahari, Gojri, and Ladakhi, alongside Urdu and Kashmiri. “A living nation is one that safeguards its civilization, language, and traditions. If we want to sustain our existence, we must keep our mother tongues alive,” he stated.
He urged political leaders, educators, and cultural organizations to unite in their efforts to promote linguistic heritage and counter any move aimed at sidelining indigenous languages. Abdullah reiterated that it is not merely a linguistic issue but a matter of identity and pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
