Jammu, January 22 (Scoop News) – Seeking support from Gujjar community residing in other states of India to built pressure on centre for inclusion of ‘Gojri’ language into Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation-a Frontal Organization of community today asked his tribe to unite and struggle hard for recognition of their identity at National level.
Addressing a meeting of community organised by Foundation Dr. Javaid Rahi, Secretary Tribal Foundation said we have wrote a letter to community leaders and influential dignitaries of country and sought immediate help to press on Government of India to amend the list of official languages of India and to include Gojri –the oldest tribal language into it , during forthcoming session of the Parliament.
He said Gojri has already stand recommended to Government of India for its inclusion in Indian constitution during Governor rule period in 90s from J&K and is pending with Delhi since last two decades .
He said being one of the oldest and significant languages of the south Asian sub-continent, spoken by Gujjar tribe-a ethno-linguistic minority of the state, Gojri has a locus standi for its inclusion in the constitution as there are adequate provisions and facilities in Indian Constitution for linguistic and tribal minorities. He said Gojri has a strong literary tradition. It has been recognised as a tribal language of India by the National Academy of Letters viz ‘Sahitya Academy’.
“Noted saint scholar and Hindi Persian poet of thirteenth century Hazrat Amir Khusroo had formally mentioned Gojri language in the list of eighteen major Indian languages of his time. Several researchers and historians have already said that the Gojri language is the mother of Rajasthani, Gujrati, Urdu and Haryanvi Languages,” He added
State government has already recognized Gojri by including it in the Sixth Schedule of the constitution of India and it is the aspiration of millions of people that due credit should be given to this ancient language that is serving their motherland for centuries.
According to current analysis, Gojri language is the first language of 20 millions of people in south Asia including India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. A good chunk of Gojri-speaking people are living in J&K.
Gujjars further sought the help of Kashmiri, Dogri and other linguistic groups, political parties, social organisations in this regard as justified cause of tribal population of the state. From J&K Kashmiri and Dogri, both the languages have already been included in the eighth schedule.