Jammu, December 21: Centre for Professional Studies in Urdu , University of Jammu ,In collaboration with Kashmir University and national council for promotion of Urdu language HRD Ministry is organizing a two day National seminar on Urdu in Jammu and Kashmir past present and future on 12 to 13th of January 2008 at University of Jammu.This was disclosed by Director Centre for Professional Studies in Urdu , University of Jammu Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik here today. “Near about 150 delegates within and outside the state are participating in the prestigious seminar,” informed Prof. Malik.
Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik said that the seminar is of important one as Urdu is the official language of the state and is being neglected by successive governments. “During the regime of Dogra rulers the Urdu language got tremendous support by different Dogra rulers of the state,” he said adding that it was Maharaja Partab Singh who declares Urdu as official language of the state and since then it enjoys the official status.
Prof. Malik said that after partition Urdu was related to a particular religion by some communal forces. “The slogan that Urdu is the language of Muslim only gave this language a set back, but soon the slogan proved wrong as people realize that Urdu is language of love, civilization and communal harmony,” he said
Prof. Shohab further said that for the development of Urdu language even in Jammu and Kashmir, Prithpal Singh Betab, Anad Lehar, Arsh Sebahi and others gave message of love and brother hood through their Urdu writings. “The main aim behind organizing this seminar is to tell the new generation that how the Urdu language had contributed in uniting the Jammu and Kashmir state in past particularly during Dogra regime. In this upcoming seminar papers would be presented by eminent writers of the state on the said subject,” Prof. Shohab said further adding that another aim of organizing this seminar is to restore past glory of Urdu language.
He said “We will suggest the state government that Urdu be given its due status. The right which has been granted to Punjabi language by the Punjab government be given same to Urdu language in Jammu and Kashmir as like Punjabi it also enjoy official status in Jammu and Kashmir.” He further informed that Vice Chancellor University of Jammu Prof. Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Prof. Reyaz Punjabi and Director NCPUL are personally monitoring the proposed seminar.