Srinagar, June 24:
President of Jammu and Kashmir Urdu Council and noted legal expert, Advocate A.R. Hanjoora, in a press conference held at the Press Club of Kashmir today, strongly asserted that Urdu, being deeply rooted in the cultural and administrative fabric of Jammu and Kashmir, must not be sidelined under the pretext of promoting other languages.
“Urdu is not just a language, it’s the voice of our shared heritage. A majority of people in Jammu and Kashmir read and speak Urdu, and its contribution to the region’s cultural and administrative development is immense,” Hanjoora said, while addressing a gathering of media persons.
He highlighted that Urdu was adopted as the official language by the Dogra Maharajas and continues to be the primary medium of official communication. “The entire land revenue records are maintained in Urdu, and even after decades, departments are still struggling to get them translated into other languages,” he added.
Hanjoora further pointed out that in subordinate courts and police stations across the region, most of the proceedings are still conducted in Urdu. “We are not against the promotion of other languages, but it should not happen at the cost of Urdu’s demotion,” he cautioned.
Commenting on recent administrative examinations, he said that Urdu must remain a mandatory subject, especially in the recruitment of posts such as naib tehsildars and other land-related officials. “Urdu’s role in land administration cannot be ignored,” he emphasized.
He also revealed that the Urdu Council had sought appointments with the offices of the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister to raise concerns on this issue, but no response was received. “Despite no meetings being granted, we have formally submitted a memorandum to both offices,” Hanjoora stated.
When asked about the Council’s next steps, he said, “If Urdu is made optional in government examinations or offices, we will not hesitate to approach the judiciary. We will knock the doors of the court to safeguard the status of Urdu.”
Recalled the concrete steps taken by former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for the promotion of the Urdu language during his tenure — steps which, according to Hanjoora, have sadly faded with time.
Hanjoora said that during Azad’s term as Chief Minister, he had issued clear directions to the J\&K Cultural Academy to ensure that all official notings in government offices, the legislature, and the secretariat were made in Urdu. “This directive was implemented effectively under the leadership of then Secretary of the Academy, Dr. Rafiq Masoodi,” Hanjoora noted. “However, over time, that initiative has quietly disappeared into history.”
He questioned why the Urdu Academy, which continues to function in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, operate effectively in why not Jammu and Kashmir. “If such academies can thrive in other states, what’s stopping us here?” Hanjoora asked.
He emphasized that Urdu must not only be given symbolic status but should be actively restored as a functional administrative and official language across government institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
