Srinagar, October 9: Sikh youth activists, scholars and community members held a peaceful candlelight protest at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Thursday, expressing solidarity with the Jammu Punjabi Morcha and demanding official recognition of the Punjabi language in Jammu and Kashmir.
The protesters highlighted Punjabi’s rich linguistic, literary and cultural heritage, urging the government to address the long-pending demand for its official recognition in the Union Territory.
Speaking to the media, Sardar Angad Singh Khalsa said Punjabi is an integral part of the community’s cultural identity and history. He urged the government to consider the demand on priority, stating that the removal of Punjabi from the list of official languages had hurt the sentiments of the Punjabi-speaking community.
Advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar also expressed support for the demand, emphasising Punjabi’s historical significance, rich literature and role in connecting communities. He stressed that protecting regional languages is essential to preserving cultural identity and ensuring that future generations remain connected to their roots.
Tejveer Singh, President of the J&K Youth Empowerment Society (YES), extended the organisation’s support to the Jammu Punjabi Morcha. He called upon the government to respect the sentiments of Punjabi-speaking people and take appropriate steps to promote and protect the language.
The participants emphasised the need to promote Punjabi through education, cultural activities and institutional support. They maintained that language represents not only a means of communication but also a community’s history, traditions and collective identity.
The candlelight protest concluded peacefully, with participants reaffirming their commitment to democratic advocacy and reiterating their demand for official recognition of Punjabi in Jammu and Kashmir.
