Jammu, January 12 : Vice Chancellors of both Jammu and Kashmir Universities today’s announced setting up a committee which will submit a detailed report to state government about the statues of Urdu Language in Jammu and Kashmir state.
This announcement was made by Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Professor Reyaz Punjabi and endorsed by Vice Chancellor Jammu University Professor Varun Sahni during the inaugural function of two national seminar on “Urdu in J&K Past Present and Future.”
The two day seminar is being organised by Centre for Professional Studies in Urdu University of Jammu and Department of Urdu , University of Kashmir.
Announcing the setting up of the Committee, Professor Reyaz Punjabi said that keeping in view the present situation of Urdu Language in the Jammu and Kashmir state there is a need to review its present status. “We have decided that a committee comprising of some prominent Urdu writers of both Jammu and Kashmir University will be formed with in coming days to review the present situation of Urdu in Jammu and Kashmir,” Professor Reyaz Punjabi said adding that the Committee will be asked to submit a detailed report with in two months and that report will be submitted to the state government.
Professor Reyaz Punjabi further said that state government needs to be sensitized about its Constitutional obligations towards Urdu language in J&K State.
Terming Urdu as a language that linked people of various communities, regions and countries, Professor Reyaz Punjabi said that it had survived despite all odds and would continue to thrive. "This is true of the entire country.. Urdu and not chaste Hindi is used in our television serials and films. But the true development of this language is possible only when it is linked with employment," he said.
Vice Chancellor Kashmir University further said that Urdu has played a very important role in the freedom struggle of India. "The electrifying speeches delivered by some of our prominent leaders like Gandhiji, Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad, were in Urdu.
Vice Chancellor University of Jammu, Professor Varun Sahni while speaking on the occasion said that Urdu language has played a vital role in the freedom struggle of India and the language which teaches us civilization, mutual understanding, love and brother hood. “In fact there is need to review the present status of Urdu language in the state and both Jammu and Kashmir University will work together to restore its status,” Professor Varun Sahni said adding Urdu is the third largest language spoken in the world and the language had produced luminaries like Mirza Asdullah Khan Ghalib, Mir Taqi Mir, Pandit Daya Shankar Naseem, Rattan Nath Sarshar, Munshi Prem Chand.
Reciting the Urdu verse written by Daag delhvi, “Urdu Hai Jis Ka Naam Ham Hi Jaante Hein Daag “Saare Jahan Mein Dhoom Hamari Zuban Ki Hai”, Professor Varun Sahni said that Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India where it enjoys official status. “It is also link language of Jammu and Kashmir. During the Dogra rule Urdu entered in the state and Maharaja Ranbir Singh who himself was the lover of art and languages initiated some steps to Promote the Urdu language,” Professor Sahni said adding that it was Maharaja Partap Singh who declares Urdu official language of the state in 1889 a.d. and since then it enjoys the official status.
Vice Chancellor Jammu University further said that after partition language got set back because some communal elements linked it with a particularly with one religion but soon this propaganda proved only a hollow slogan. “Urdu had a glorious past in the state the aim organizing the seminar is to restore the past glory of Urdu language and also to find ways that how in the period of science and technology Urdu could not feel insecure for getting jobs in govt. and private sectors,” he added
Described Urdu language "The language of Humanity" Prof. Varun Sahni said "It is the voice of all the people of India because from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari it is a link language.
Chairman Kashmir Times Group of Publication Mr Ved Bhasin while speaking on the occasion said that "Urdu journalism was the basic media that used to regulate the struggle for independence. The sheer number of Urdu publications during the Indian Freedom struggle can speak for it.
He referred Munshi Prem Chand, Rattan Nath Sarshar, Rajinder Singh Bedi and Other writers who in their writings had spread love, brotherhood and national integration. “Urdu had a relation with Khari Bhasha, then Gujrat,Bejapur,Aurangabad and lucknow became important centres of Urdu language,” he added further asking both Vice Chancellor of Jammu and Kashmir University to organize more and more seminars for the upliftment of this language which is enjoying the official status in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that communal forces are trying their best to bifurcate the state on religion basis which according to Bhasin could not achieve this goal. “They are also linking Urdu language with one particular community which is totally wrong,” he said
Former Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Professor Hamidi Kashmiri said "Why Urdu is being related with one religion we know but if we have to save Urdu language we must review the secular character of Urdu language and this initiative of both the Universities is first step in this regard.
Professor Hamidi congratulated Prof. Shohab Malik and Prof. Nazir Ahmad Malik HOD Department of Urdu University of Jammu for organizing such seminar at a time when Jammu and Kashmir State needs revival of old age secularism.
Professor Shohab Inayat Malik Director Centre for Professional Studies in Urdu University of Jammu and Professor Nazir Ahmad Malik HOD Urdu Kashmir University demanded setting up of Urdu Academy in the Jammu and Kashmir State Immediately. They also demanded to appoint Urdu teacher in government Schools. They lauded the role of Dogre rulers for giving due status to Urdu language.
Dr Tariq Tamkeen ably conducted the proceeding of the programme which Muhammad Reyaz presented Vote of Thanks.