JAMMU, Oct 21: Apni Party Student Union Provincial President Tableen Singh Boparai on Wednesday organised a felicitation programme at the party headquarters in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, to honour Apni Party Jammu Province President S. Manjit Singh for his active participation in the Punjabi Language Morcha’s sit-in demanding the inclusion of Punjabi as an official language of Jammu and Kashmir.
Manjit Singh, Pavneet Kour were felicitated for their role in the peaceful movement and with Singh heading an 11-member committee that held discussions with government representatives in Srinagar. The delegation secured a written assurance from the Omar Abdullah-led government that a bill concerning the official status of Punjabi would be introduced during the forthcoming session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.The development has raised hopes among Punjabi language supporters, who have long sought official recognition for the language and stronger institutional support for its preservation and promotion in the Union Territory.
The programme acknowledged the role of party leaders and activists in pursuing the demand through peaceful protests, public mobilisation and dialogue with the government. The participants stressed that the written assurance must be followed by concrete legislative action to address the long-standing demand of the Punjabi-speaking community.
Speaking on the occasion, Manjit Singh said the demand for official language status for Punjabi was closely linked to the linguistic identity, cultural heritage and sentiments of the Punjabi-speaking population. He said the Punjabi Language Morcha had pursued the issue through peaceful protests and constructive dialogue, culminating in a written assurance that a bill on the matter would be introduced during the forthcoming Assembly session.
He expressed hope that the government would honour its commitment and take concrete legislative steps to fulfil the long-pending demand. He added that official recognition of Punjabi would strengthen linguistic diversity and ensure that the language received its rightful place in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, Tableen Singh Boparai said the felicitation programme was organised to recognise the dedicated efforts of Manjit Singh and Pavneet Kour in championing the Punjabi language cause and representing the aspirations of the Punjabi-speaking community.
He emphasised that young people had an important role in preserving linguistic heritage and carrying the movement forward through democratic and peaceful means. Expressing hope that the written assurance would translate into concrete action during the forthcoming Assembly session, he said students and youth would continue to support initiatives aimed at protecting Punjabi language, literature and cultural identity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent Apni Party leaders present on the occasion included Provincial Secretary and Trade Wing In-charge Ajaz Kazmi, Jammu Urban District President Abhay Bakaya and Vice President Arun Chibber, among others.The programme concluded with a renewed call for sustained efforts to secure official recognition for Punjabi and promote the language among younger generations. Participants expressed hope that the forthcoming Assembly session would mark a significant step towards addressing the demand through the legislative process.