Coordinated measures outlined to protect, promote Kashmiri language: Govt

Srinagar, Oct 29: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that coordinated measures were outlined to protect and promote the Kashmiri language.

In a written reply to a query by MLA Wagoora Advocate Irfan Hafiz Lone, the government said that the Department of Culture has outlined a series of coordinated measures aimed at protecting, promoting, and popularising the Kashmiri language among the youth.

MLA Wagoora-Kreeri Irfan Hafiz Lone had raised a query about the declining proficiency in Kashmiri among school-going children.

The government, in its written reply said that both the Department of Culture and the School Education Department (SED) are working in synergy to revive linguistic pride and cultural consciousness.

“The government has taken multiple coordinated measures to protect, promote and popularise the Kashmiri language among the younger generations.

“In this context, both the department of culture and SED are working in synergy to revive the linguistic pride and cultural consciousness among the youth of J&K,” the reply reads.

The government said that the Academy regularly organises seminars, debates, poetry recitations, storytelling sessions, theatre workshops, and cultural performances in educational institutions across the Kashmir Division.

“These programmes are designed to encourage students to express themselves creatively in their mother tongue,” it reads.

As per the reply, the students are invited to venues like Tagore Hall in Srinagar to participate in and witness Kashmiri language programs, including Mushairas (poetic symposia), theatre plays, book releases, and interactive sessions with eminent poets and writers.

“This initiative exposes young learners to the richness of Kashmiri literature and performing arts,” the written reply reads.

Furthermore, the JKAACL collaborates with the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, to organise literary and cultural events in schools, colleges, and universities, fostering an appreciation for the language among students and teachers alike.

“Support is also extended to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to hold Kashmiri literary programmes in rural and semi-urban areas, ensuring language promotion reaches the grassroots level,” the written reply reads.

It reads that the Academy continues its rich tradition of releasing prestigious multilingual journals such as Sheeraza, Soan Adab, and Virasat.

“These publications feature poetry, short stories, essays, and research papers in Kashmiri, serving as vital platforms for preserving literary heritage and nurturing new writers,” it reads.

Regarding archival and conservation efforts, the government said the Department of Culture was actively preserving valuable manuscripts and rare Kashmiri books housed in the SPS Museum, the Archival Repository in Srinagar, and Central Public Libraries.

“These works are being catalogued, digitised, and conserved for posterity. Public awareness events like World Heritage Week are regularly organised to highlight this legacy,” it reads

Also, SED has implemented significant academic reforms as well, wherein JK Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has developed Kashmiri language textbooks from Class I to XII and has made it a compulsory subject up to Class 8th.

“In line with the National Education Policy 2020, the Board has also initiated the translation of all textbooks into Kashmiri,” the reply reads.

It reads that the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) have trained over 10,000 teachers in mother tongue-based instruction under the "Whole Language Approach" to ensure effective classroom engagement.