Another onslaught on Urdu’s status Official language missing in CAPD’s fresh lot of R-cards

SYED AMJAD SHAH

Jammu, July 31: The Urdu language in Jammu and Kashmir State has been gradually losing its status as the official language- the recent onslaught on its position has come from Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution department which has come up with fresh ration cards printed in Hindi and English languages.

Exhibiting the extreme degree of apathy, the language is facing at the hands of the officials, the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD), contrary to the early practice of printing the ration cards in Urdu has come up with a fresh lot in Hindi and English, in share violation of the state constitution.

“The new ration cards have been printed in Hindi and English languages, ignoring official language of the state i.e. Urdu. Earlier, the rations cards were printed only in Urdu language”, sources said.

Terming the step by CAPD as unfortunate, president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti told Greater Kashmir that the Urdu language is being marginalized consciously or unconsciously despite the fact that it is the official language of Jammu and Kashmir. The Urdu language is spoken by the majority of the people, not only in state but across the county, Mufti said.

“We have found the ration cards printed in Hindi and English. It is insult to the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir,” said chairman, Urdu Development Council (UDC) and ex- MP Sheikh Abdul Rehman, while saying that the council will put across its resentment in strongest possible way.

Rehman told Greater Kashmir that the UDC raised the issue over a month ago adding that the council members met the chief minister and showed a copy of ration card printed in Hindi and English. He said, the chief minister assured the deputation that he would look into the matter.

Citing th example of Punjab, Rehman said that while other state governments across the country are working for the promotion their respective official languages, the subsequent government’s in J&K have failed to preserve and promote Urdu which enjoys the status of official language under article 145 of the state constitution.