‘Saving our language means saving our identity’: Poets, writers call for preserving dying Kashmiri
Srinagar, Feb 21: On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, prominent voices from Jammu and Kashmir have expressed deep concern over the declining use of the Kashmiri language.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), they called for urgent collective efforts to preserve and promote it as a vital marker of identity and cultural heritage.
Noted writer Dr Tanveer Hayat emphasised the intrinsic connection between language and thought, stating that language is fundamental to human identity.
“Language is the homeland of thought. Without language, thought is stateless. Homeless is always meaningless,” he said, adding that language is not merely a medium of communication but a carrier of culture, traditions, and history. He stressed that every community must safeguard its linguistic roots to preserve its unique identity.
Echoing similar concerns, teacher Mudasir Ahmad described Kashmiris as the emotional and cultural backbone of the people. “Our mother tongue, Kashmiri, is not just a language; it is our identity and the voice of our culture. It carries the love, emotions, and wisdom of our elders,” he said. However, he lamented the growing hesitation among younger generations to speak the language, calling it a painful sign of cultural erosion.
He warned that the diminishing use of Kashmiri in homes and daily life poses a serious threat to the region’s rich heritage. “On this Mother Tongue Day, let us promise to speak Kashmiri with pride, teach it to our children, and keep it alive. Saving our language means saving our identity,” he added.
Poetess Nadim Shoqia also highlighted the historical and intellectual richness of the Kashmiri language, describing it as a legacy that has contributed significantly to literature and philosophy. “Kashmiri is not merely a language; it is a legacy. It has given the world philosophers, poets, and writers who brought glory to Kashmir and the entire nation,” she said.
Addressing the youth, she urged them to embrace their linguistic roots without hesitation. “There is dignity in your roots. There is power in your language,” she remarked, appealing to families to ensure that Kashmiri is spoken and passed on to future generations.
Shoqia called on the government to take concrete steps, including the appointment of dedicated Kashmiri language teachers in schools and colleges. “A language survives when it is taught, protected, and honoured,” she asserted.
The speakers unanimously stressed that the survival of a language is directly tied to the survival of a culture and civilisation. They warned that continued neglect could lead to irreversible loss, urging society at large to recognise the urgency of the situation. (KNO)
