JAMMU, Oct 13: A delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP), led by Party General Secretary Vijay Bakaya and accompanied by Jammu Province President Manjit Singh and other senior leaders, today visited the site of the indefinite Punjabi Language Dharna/Morcha launched by the All J&K Sikh Sangat and extended full support to the ongoing movement demanding official language status for Punjabi in Jammu and Kashmir.During the visit, the delegation handed over a formal letter of support to the representatives of the Morcha, reaffirming the party’s solidarity with the demand for recognition and promotion of Punjabi in the Union Territory.
Addressing the gathering first, Vijay Bakaya, General Secretary of the Apni Party, expressed solidarity with the All J&K Sikh Sangat and those participating in the Morcha. He said the demand for official language status for Punjabi deserved serious consideration, as language was closely connected with the cultural identity, traditions and heritage of a community. He emphasized the importance of addressing people’s genuine aspirations through democratic dialogue and constructive engagement with the government.
Bakaya maintained that recognising Punjabi would not mean undermining any other language or community. Instead, it would reflect respect for Jammu and Kashmir’s linguistic diversity and strengthen the spirit of inclusiveness. He urged the government to engage with the representatives of the Morcha and take appropriate steps to address their demand.
Manjit Singh, Jammu Province President of JKAP, also addressed the gathering and emphasised that Punjabi was not merely a language of communication but an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir’s historical, cultural and social heritage, particularly for the Sikh community. He said the language had deep roots in the region and continued to connect generations through literature, religious teachings, traditions and cultural identity.
Singh clarified that the demand for official recognition of Punjabi was neither against any other language nor intended to undermine the linguistic identity of any community. Rather, it was a legitimate demand for preserving and promoting a language that holds immense historical and emotional significance for a substantial section of the population.
Singh said Jammu and Kashmir was known for its rich linguistic diversity, with different languages reflecting the distinct histories, traditions and identities of its people. Recognising Punjabi, he added, would strengthen this diversity and promote a more inclusive approach towards preserving the region’s cultural heritage.
Highlighting Punjabi’s significance for the Sikh community, Singh said the language had a special place because of its close association with Gurbani, religious literature, the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and community traditions. Its preservation and promotion were therefore closely linked to safeguarding the community’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Singh maintained that granting Punjabi official language status would create greater opportunities for its promotion in education, literature, cultural activities and public life. It would also help younger generations remain connected with their linguistic roots while contributing to the wider social and cultural development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Appealing to the Omar Abdullah-led government to respond positively to the demand, Singh urged it to take concrete legislative steps and introduce the Punjabi Language Bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. He said the issue deserved serious consideration and a constructive response.He also called for meaningful engagement with representatives of the Sikh community and other stakeholders to address their concerns through dialogue and appropriate legislative action.
Singh reiterated that Punjabi-speaking people had made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic life of Jammu and Kashmir and that their linguistic aspirations deserved due consideration. He stressed that the promotion of one language should not be viewed as being at the expense of another, but as part of a broader commitment to respecting all communities and their cultural identities.
Reaffirming the Apni Party’s commitment to positive and constructive politics, Singh said public aspirations should be addressed through democratic dialogue and appropriate policy decisions. He expressed solidarity with the All J&K Sikh Sangat and all those participating in the indefinite Morcha, urging the government to initiate the necessary process for granting Punjabi its due recognition. Singh said preserving and promoting the region’s languages was a shared responsibility and an important step towards strengthening cultural harmony and inclusiveness in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent among those present on the occasion were Saleem Alam, Vice President and In-charge ST Wing; Arun Chibber, Vice President; Ajaz Kazmi, Provincial Secretary; Pavneet Kour, Provincial President, Women’s Wing; Abhay Bakaya, District President, Jammu Urban; Harpreet Singh, District President, Jammu Rural-A; Pushap Dev Uppal, District President, Jammu Rural-B; Raman Thappa, District President, Samba; Tableen Singh Boparai, Provincial President, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Students Union; Bhagat Ram, Provincial President, OBC Wing; Sahil Bharti, Spokesperson, JKAP; and Vibhav Mattoo, Social Media In-charge.
Others present included Balbir Singh Baba, Provincial President, Minority Wing; Inderpal, District President, Minority Wing; Dalbir Singh, District President, Minority Wing, Jammu; Neelam Gupta, Senior Vice President, Jammu District; Shikha Bhardwaj, Secretary; Mohd. Asif, Joint Secretary; Devansh Sharma, District Media In-charge; Vijay Gurtoo, District Secretary; G.L. Pandita, District Secretary; Yash Paul, District Organiser; and Harjeet Singh, Vice President, Minority Wing, besides other Apni Party leaders, workers and members of the Apni Students Union.