Sikh community protests in Jammu, seeks restoration of Punjabi in education

Members of the Sikh community held a peaceful protest rally here on Monday, demanding the restoration and promotion of Punjabi in schools and its recognition as a community language in Jammu and Kashmir.

The protest was organised under the banner of the Jammu Punjabi Morcha, with protesters urging the Lieutenant Governor's administration and the government to introduce Punjabi into the school curriculum.

Surjan Singh, general secretary of the District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, said the rally was aimed at highlighting the community's long-pending demand to restore Punjabi in schools.

"Punjabi was taught in schools long before 1947, but it was subsequently removed from the curriculum outside Punjab. We have been urging the Lieutenant Governor's administration for a long time to implement it, but no government has paid heed. Punjabi is our mother tongue," Singh said.

He said the Lieutenant Governor had earlier acknowledged concerns raised by the community's youth.

Singh said the protesters would continue to press for the demand if their concerns were not addressed.

"A protest is currently underway here in Jammu. If our concerns are not addressed amicably, we will press for this demand through protests and sit-ins," he said.