Srinagar, Oct 9 (KNS): Sikh youth activists, scholars and community members held a peaceful candlelight protest at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Thursday, extending support to the Jammu Punjabi Morcha and demanding official recognition of the Punjabi language in Jammu and Kashmir.

The protesters called upon the government to address the demand, saying Punjabi represented an important part of the region's linguistic, historical and cultural heritage and deserved institutional recognition and protection.

Speaking to reporters, Sikh youth activist Sardar Angad Singh Khalsa said the demand for granting official status to Punjabi was genuine and required priority consideration.

"Punjabi is an integral part of our cultural identity, history and heritage. The demand for its official recognition is genuine, and the government should consider it on priority," Khalsa said.

He said the exclusion of Punjabi from the list of official languages had hurt the sentiments of the Punjabi-speaking community and stressed that every language deserved respect, protection and equal opportunities for development.

Advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar, who also participated in the demonstration, highlighted Punjabi's historical and literary significance, saying the language had contributed substantially to the region's cultural diversity.

"Punjabi has a vast history, rich literature and a remarkable cultural legacy.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelIt has served as a bridge connecting people across communities," he said.

Bukhtiyar said preserving and promoting regional languages was essential to safeguarding cultural identities and ensuring that future generations remained connected to their roots.

Tejveer Singh, president of the J&K Youth Empowerment Society (YES), expressed solidarity with the Jammu Punjabi Morcha and urged the government to take appropriate measures for the recognition and promotion of Punjabi.

"Language is not merely a means of communication; it represents our history, traditions and collective identity. We urge the government to listen to the sentiments of Punjabi-speaking people," Singh said.

He also emphasised the importance of peaceful democratic expression in raising concerns relating to linguistic and cultural rights.

The participants called for greater institutional support for Punjabi through education, literary activities and cultural initiatives, saying its preservation was essential for maintaining the region's linguistic diversity.

The demonstration concluded peacefully, with protesters reiterating their support for the Jammu Punjabi Morcha and urging the government to respond positively to their demand for official recognition of Punjabi in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)