No Kashmiri textbooks in schools up to Class 8 in IIOJK
India pushing to erase Kashmir’s linguistic identity
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the deliberate non-availability of Kashmiri language textbooks in government schools up to Class 8 has sparked widespread concern among educationists and rights activists, who view it as part of India’s broader plan to erase Kashmir’s cultural identity and disconnect the new generation from its linguistic roots.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Kashmiri language remained without textbooks throughout the outgoing academic session, even though students were tested in the subject. Teachers were forced to rely on outdated notes, photocopies, and self-prepared lessons due to the absence of official materials.
Rights activist Rasikh Rasool Butt termed the situation “deeply troubling,” saying it exposed the apathy of the School Education Department and the Board of School Education. “The Kashmiri language is a vital part of our identity. Denying textbooks to children is an attempt to disconnect them from their culture and history,” he said.
Educators, parents, and civil society members have condemned the move, asserting that depriving students of Kashmiri-language textbooks while promoting Hindi and Sanskrit reflects India’s colonial agenda to culturally annex the territory. They demanded a thorough probe and immediate corrective measures to ensure the preservation of Kashmiri language and identity in the education system.
