Encroachment of water bodies, neglect of regional languages echo in Assembly
Srinagar, Oct 29: National Conference MLA from Eidgah constituency Mubarak Gul on Wednesday raised the issue about the illegal encroachments on water bodies and neglect of Kashmiri and other regional languages at the school level.
He recalled his conversation with some local youth who raised an alarm over encroachment and illegal constructions around water bodies.
Speaking during the Zero Hour in the House, Mubarak Gul said that he was apprised by the youth of Srinagar about the encroachment of water bodies, including Khushal Sar Lake in the Srinagar city
“I want to draw the attention of this House towards this grave issue because our youth have expressed concern over it,” Gul said in the House.
He further raised the issue about the neglect of the Kashmiri language besides other regional languages in the educational institutions.
“While the claims are being made that Kashmiri must be taught till University level, but on the ground, this language faces neglect at school level,” he said, adding that not only Kashmiri but other regional languages like Dogri is bein neglected as well.
While raising the issue, NC MLA Mubarak Gul spoke in the Kashmiri language which was opposed by the BJP members, requesting him to speak in Urdu.
Following this, Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather disallowed Gul to continue speaking in the Kashmiri language in the House saying that no translator was available in the House.
The MLA was stopped by the Speaker, saying his speech was not going on record. “Why are you speaking in the Kashmiri language without permission? There is no translator available in the house, so the speech is not going on the record,” Speaker told the MLA.
Following this Gul continued his speech in Urdu, saying that regional languages, including Kashmiri, Dogri and others were neglected at school level and the government must intervene in this matter.
“As per the latest report, it has been found that the Kashmiri language, Dogri and other regional languages are not taught in schools. The government should look into the matter,” MLA Mubarak Gul said.
