Gojri being a Tribal language ignored continuously
Ch Rashid Azam Inqlabi
The National Education Policy 2020 has ’emphasized’ on the use of the mother tongue or local language as the medium of instruction till Class 5th while, recommending its continuance till Class 8th and beyond. The National Education Policy proposes various reforms in school education as well as higher education including technical education. A number of action points/activities for implementation in school education as well as higher education are suggested in the National Education Policy 2020.
Gojri and Pahari are the mother tongues of a substantial segment of the population on both sides of LOC India and Pakistan, its speakers can be found in numbers in the nook and corner of the Union Territory. Other native languages spoken as mother tongue do have their area of influence but very limited reach. Kashmiri for instance is spoken in the valley. Dogri, Punjabi, Mirpuri, and between the right side of river Chenab and Pir Panjal various mother tongues are modes of communication like Pogali, Hambal-Gooha, Siraji, Baderwahi, Saroodi, Bheelsavi, Padri and Kishtwari etc. Gojri and Pahari are the only two languages spoken on both sides of Pir Panjal and LoC.
Gojri Language included in the 6th schedule of the J&K Constitution in 1999. Gojri should have been on the concurrent list after Kashmiri while framing the 6th schedule on merit. The demand for including into the 8th schedule constitution of India was made by the writer, poet of the Gojri language many times, and ultimately authorities were forced to think about the inclusion of the Gojri language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution.
Our Nation is known for diversity and this diversity is all because of languages spoken here. As such we strongly project that this largely spoken language be properly documented and researched in the academic circle. This is high time for those who are at the helm of affairs to consider the introduction of the Gojri language in the curricula of Higher Educational Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. There is a need for a Separate Department of Gojri and Pahari to be created in Colleges and Universities in the interest of the preservation of this rich and historic language.
Moreover to further promote the interest in this language Serious thought is to be given towards initiating the teaching of and learning of the Gojri and Phari language at UG and PG levels as per the new Education policy 2020. Even it is envisaged in New Education Policy that up to primary Education teaching and learning process will be initiated in the mother tongue, same is needs to carried to higher classes and up to the Ph.D. level as a separate subject
The new National Education Policy (NEP) recommends that all students will learn three languages in their school under the ‘formula’. At least two of the three languages should be native to India.
A student in Mumbai is learning Marathi and English, he/she will have to choose to learn another Indian language. Three-language formula, teaching/learning Hindi will be mandatory in those states where the language is not usually spoken.
The choice of languages learned will depend on the state and the students. However, it is mandatory for at least two of the three languages to be native to the country – one of which is most likely to be the local/regional language.
Although the Ministry of Education says that “no language will be imposed on any student, wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Class 5TH, but preferably till Class 8TH and beyond, will be the home language/mother tongue/local language/regional language. Wherever possible” local language/mother tongue should be used. Therefore the school is likely to continue teaching in their medium of instruction and use the local language when High-quality textbooks, including in science, will be made available in home languages
In cases where home-language textbook material is not available, the language of the transaction between teachers and students will remain the home language wherever possible. Teachers will be encouraged to use a bilingual approach, including bilingual teaching-learning materials, with those students whose home language may be different from the medium of instruction.
Gojri books to be introduced in Government schools from Ist to 8th class. A good number of books are available in the Gojri language which can be taught to the students in schools and college level.
Many religious books and other books were translated into Gojri by eminent writers, It was in the early seventies that AIR Srinagar, AIR Jammu, CIIL Mysore, and JK Cultural Academy played significant roles in the development of the Modern Gojri Language and literature.
We at an individual level, working wholeheartedly have authored more than three dozen volumes on different aspects of the Gojri language without any official position/patronage, thus fulfilling all the requirements for its inclusion in prestigious institutions within and outside J&K. Today Gojri is spoken /understood by over 50 million people in the Sub-Himalayan Indian States as well northern parts of Pakistan & Afghanistan.
Many universities have undertaken M.Phil / Ph.D. level research in Gojri including DU, JNU, IIU Islamabad, Harare University, Allama Iqbal Open University, Lahore, Punjab University Lahore, and Peshawar University.
However, at the same time, it is excruciating to share that Kashmir and Jammu universities have not exhibited any interest in this regard although Central University started a Certificate course in Gojri in 2015.
The BGSBU accepted the demand for introducing M.A. Course in Gojri & Pahari in 2022 and advertised the faculty positions for Gojri & Pahari. The matter had already been taken up with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Education Minister Govt of India, and Lieutenant Governor for introducing the Gojri and Phari Language in Universities, colleges, and schools education so that Justice may be done with a regional language.
(The author is former Director School Education Jammu)