Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Wednesday stopped National Conference MLA Mubarak Gul from speaking in Kashmiri, saying there was no interpreter available in the house.
During Zero Hour, Mubarak Gul began his speech in Kashmiri and referred to his conversation with local youth on illegal encroachments and constructions around water reservoirs. However, the 80-year-old speaker stopped him and said that his speech would not go on record.
“Why are you speaking in Kashmiri without permission? There is no interpreter in the House, so your speech is not being recorded,” said Speaker Rather.
Mubarak Gul then continued his speech in Urdu, saying that Kashmiri, Dogri and other regional languages are being neglected at the educational level, even though the government claims to teach these languages up to the university level.
He said, “According to the latest report, Kashmiri, Dogri and other regional languages are not being taught in schools. The government should seriously consider this issue.”
Sonawari Literary Circle and Kamraz Literary Center express their regret
Kamraz Literary Center and Sonawari Literary Circle, Hajin, have expressed deep anger and regret over the refusal of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to allow them to speak in Kashmiri.
Literary institutions said that preventing members from expressing their views in their native language using the unavailability of a translator as an excuse is a direct attack on the linguistic rights of the Kashmiri people and their efforts to promote the language.
The statement said that Kashmiri, which is one of the official languages of the state, is the cultural identity of the valley and its neglect in the assembly is regrettable.
Both the institutions appealed to the Speaker to ensure the appointment of an interpreter and allow members to speak in Kashmiri so that the language can be promoted and respected.
