Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 22: In a powerful and united show of resolve, scholars, writers, students and cultural advocates gathered at the Cultural Academy in Jammu today to voice their demands for the upliftment and preservation of Dogri, the language that embodies the cultural heritage of the Jammu region
The rally saw an impressive turnout of passionate individuals, including luminaries such as Padma Shri Mohan Singh Slathia of Duggar Manch, Team Jammu Chairman Zorawar Singh Jamwal, acclaimed writers lnderjeet Kesar and Satpal Gadwalia, Sahitya Akademi Awardee Vijay Verma, and cultural stalwarts like Randhir Raipuria, Khajur Singh, Puran Chand Badgotra, and Balwan Singh Jamona.
The event was a clarion call for urgent action to address the marginalization of Dogri, despite its status as a recognized language under the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Protestors expressed their frustration at the lack of concrete steps taken by authorities to ensure the survival and growth of this ancient and rich language.
During the rally, a comprehensive memorandum was drafted and addressed to all elected members of the Legislative Assembly. urging them to prioritize Dogri in the upcoming Budget Session. The memorandum outlined specific. actionable measures that need to be implemented to preserve and propagate the language. The protestors called for significant funding in the state budget to support Dogri education, cultural promotion, and research initiatives.
They further sought compulsory inclusion of Dogri as a mandatory subject in schools across Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that future generations remain connected to their linguistic and cultural roots. They demanded establishment of grants, scholarships, and awards to encourage Dogri scholars, writers, and artists to continue their contributions to the language and culture. They also sought official recognition to the language in Administration, financial and infrastructural support for Dogri newspapers, radio programs, and digital platforms to amplify the language’s presence in mass communication.
The rally featured stirring speeches from several prominent participants.
The protest culminated in the submission of the memorandum to legislative representatives, ensuring that the voices of the Dogri-speaking community resonate in the corridors of power ahead of the crucial budget session.
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