IIOJK’s linguistic identity threatened by imposition of Hindi
Srinagar: As the world marks ‘International Mother Language Day’, today, to celebrate linguistic diversity and promote multilingualism, the languages in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir are facing a growing challenge from the India’s Hindutva government led by Narendra Modi.
According to the Kashmir Media Service, concerns about the preservation of Kashmir’s indigenous languages loom large, particularly amidst the discriminatory efforts of the Modi government to impose Hindi as a national language, posing a grave risk to the survival of local languages.
Entire Jammu and Kashmir stands as a mosaic of linguistic diversity, with languages such as Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Pehari and Hindi intricately woven into its cultural fabric. However, despite this rich linguistic tapestry, the territory grapples with significant challenges jeopardizing the future of its native languages, notably the relentless push for Hindi dominance at the expense of linguistic pluralism.
Of particular concern is the status of Kashmiri, boasting approximately 7 million speakers and holding deep historical and cultural significance. Despite its importance, Kashmiri has failed to receive official recognition from New Delhi, intensifying fears of its gradual demise and eventual extinction.
The imposition of Hindi as a lingua franca threatens to marginalize local languages, erode cultural identities, and homogenize linguistic landscapes across the territory, exacerbating the struggle for linguistic diversity and cultural autonomy.
The repercussions of language policy decisions extend beyond linguistic concerns, resonating deeply with issues of identity, heritage, and cultural sovereignty. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages are inseparable from the safeguarding of their distinct cultural identity and sense of belonging.
As ‘International Mother Language Day’ is observed worldwide to celebrate linguistic diversity and advocate for multilingualism, the plight of occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s indigenous languages serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect and nurture linguistic heritage in the face of oppressive language policies of the Modi regime.
