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Literary bodies oppose MHRD plan
Kashmir-based literary bodies are up in arms against a move by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to withdraw Kashmiri translations from its language-promoting portal, Bhasha Sangam, after Kashmiri Pandits objected to the “regional script” of the language.
“We appeal to the MHRD to reconsider the decision of removing Kashmiri language from the language portal,” said Literary Forum Bandipora head Sufi Showkat.
“We will fight for the traditional development of Kashmiri language at every front and will not allow anybody to play politics over its sanctity,” said Mr. Showkat.
Playing with sentiment
The Forum alleged that “sponsored members” of the Pandit community were playing with the sentiments of Kashmiri people by “distorting the linguistic sacredness of Kashmiri language.”
“The government should have consulted all linguistic representatives before removing Kashmiri from the website and bowing to a few politically motivated representatives,” said the forum’s leader. The MHRD website, Bhasha Sangam, took down the Persian script, which is written from right to left like Urdu, and is widely used by the Muslim population of Jammu and Kashmir. However, Pandits prefer the Sharda script, which was in vogue around the 8th Century and is influenced by Sanskrit. “Sentences/translations in Kashmiri under Bhasha Sangam were prepared by the NCERT in association with language experts from Department of Education, J&K & University of Kashmir. @HRDMinistry is sensitive to the comments raised & has therefore decided to withdraw them,” the MHRD tweeted. Awami Ittehad president Engineer Rasheed described the MHRD move “as yet again an evidence that Delhi doesn’t understand the sentiments and emotions of the people of Kashmir.”
‘Deplorable move’
“Citing the reason that a few Kashmiri Pandit scholars and journalists had objected to the script is deplorable and condemn- able,” said Mr. Rasheed.
Writer M.K. Kaw was the first Kashmiri Pandit to push a proposal in 2005 before the HRD Minister to change the script. However, it was opposed in Kashmir and the proposal was shelved.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/shun-move-to-drop-kashmiri-from-portal/article25694529.ece
