JIGMET DADUL
LEH: Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) with active support of several political and religious organisations of Leh organised a march from Skyatsags Chorten near petrol pump to the historic Leh Polo Ground to reiterate their demand of including Bhoti language in the eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Skyabje Tokdan Rinpoche was the Chief Guest.
President LBA Youth Wing Rinchen Namgail said that Bhoti language is part and parcel of people living in five different States of India. He said that LBA will continue with its concerted efforts for including the language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The march in support of Bhoti language also condoled the barbaric killing of students in Peshawar, Pakistan.
The Presidents of Anjuman Immamia and Anjuman-Moin-ul-Islam extended their wholehearted support in bringing the Bhoti Language in the ambit of Indian Constitution.
Elihud George of the Christian Association, Leh, expressed his displeasure and said that most people feel shy to speak our mother tongue Bhoti rather they feel proud to speak English. He added that language is the identity of region whatever the religion they believe. He appealed to all political and religious organisations in Leh to be united and come under one platform to fulfill this demand.
Geshey Konchok Namgail, the President of Ladakh Gonpa Association, while expressing his displeasure for not including the Bhoti language in Eighth Schedule, said that some languages had no script and even Nepali language is included in the Eighth Schedule due to political pressure. He added that the demand for inclusion of Dogri and Kashmiri languages in the Eighth Schedule was later than the demand of Bhoti language saying that the Dogri and Kashmiri language got included but unfortunately the GoI had neglected the Bhoti Language. He appealed to the Member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang to put this demand in the Parliament before the Prime Minister.
Tsewang Thinles, the President of LBA appreciated the Himalayan Society for putting this demand since long time but he said that because of putting several demands together, this particular demand got missing in between. He urged that LBA will strive only for inclusion of Bhoti Language. He added that LBA is giving three months ultimatum to the GoI and said that if they do not get any positive response they will organise a huge procession with MP, MLA and other concerned ministers. He expressed displeasure for the political parties for giving this demand a low priority. He informed that LBA had also organised such procession in Nubra, Changthsang and Zanskar on the same day.
Later, a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, which was signed by LBA, Ladakh Gonpa Association, Anjuman Immamia, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam, Christian Association Leh, Indian National Congress, BJP, BSP and PDP.