JAMMU, Oct 16: Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir president Manish Sahni on Friday congratulated the Punjabi community on their sustained peaceful struggle for official status for Punjabi, and welcomed the Omar Abdullah government’s assurance to introduce a bill on the issue during the 2027 Budget Session.
Sahni, however, urged the Centre, Union Home Ministry and Lieutenant Governor to provide a written assurance with a clear timeline to ensure the demand reaches its logical conclusion.
He said the unity and peaceful determination shown by the Punjabi community in defending its mother tongue deserved appreciation, but stressed that the Centre’s commitment was equally important as the relevant legislation had been passed by Parliament.
Drawing a parallel with the pending restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Sahni said the Assembly had passed resolutions on the issue and the Centre had also made a promise, but seven years had passed without its fulfilment.
“We do not want the Punjabi community to wait for years on the strength of assurances alone. The official status of Punjabi must be secured through a clear legal commitment,” he said.
“Dogri is our pride and Punjabi our shared heritage. Shiv Sena stands with the Punjabi community to ensure that its achievement becomes permanent and legally secure,” Sahni added.