Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 27: Seeking support from all sects of society, political parties, media and influential dignitaries of country to push the case of inclusion of ‘Gojri’ into eighth schedule of Indian Constitution- the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir through Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation today pleaded that the Union Government must take a positive decision on this long pending demand.
The community today sought intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an amendment in the list of official languages of India to include Gojri -the oldest tribal language and give recognition to this language National level.
Giving details, Dr Javaid Rahi, secretary, Tribal Foundation, said that the State Government has recommended Gojri twice for its inclusion in Indian constitution during Governor rule in 1991 and popular Government in 2012 and the case is pending with Union Government since last two decades.
He said being one of the oldest and significant languages of the South Asian sub-continent, spoken by Gujjar tribe-a ethno-linguistic minority of the State, Gojri has a locus standi for its inclusion in the 8th Schedule, as there are adequate provisions and facilities in Indian Constitution for linguistic minorities. He said Gojri has a strong literary tradition. It has been recognized as a tribal language of India by the National Academy of Letters viz ‘Sahitya Academy’.
State Government has already recognized Gojri by including it in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and it is the aspiration of millions of people that due credit should be given to this ancient language that is serving their motherland for centuries, he added.
Gujjars further sought the help of Kashmiri, Dogri and other linguistic groups, political parties and social organizations in this regard as justified cause of tribal population of the State.
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