The remarks and decision of Hon’ble Speaker Ab. Rahim Rather in the Legislative Assembly—citing the non-availability of a translator as a reason to deny a member the right to speak in Kashmiri—are deeply disturbing and unacceptable in a place that takes pride in its linguistic and cultural heritage. This is the second time such an excuse has been made, and it reflects not just an administrative lapse, but a worrying disregard for the linguistic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
For a Speaker who himself has long been associated with the promotion of the Kashmiri language and literature, this stance comes as a rude shock. It undermines decades of efforts by writers, poets, and cultural activists who have fought to keep the Kashmiri language alive in the face of neglect and apathy. Denying Kashmiri a voice in the very temple of democracy—the Assembly—amounts to silencing the collective soul of the Valley.
The Halqa-e-Adab Sonawari Hajin, Kashmir’s oldest literary organization, has rightly expressed anguish over this matter. Their concern is shared by countless lovers of Kashmiri language who view this as more than just a procedural lapse—it is symbolic of how far we have drifted from our roots.
The demand is simple and legitimate: appoint a translator without delay and allow members to speak in their mother tongue. Anything less would be an affront to the cultural dignity of the Kashmiri people and a violation of the spirit of inclusivity that the Assembly is meant to uphold.
It is now upon the Kashmiri-speaking legislators—cutting across party lines—to rise above political divides and ensure that the language of Lalla Ded, Habba Khatoon, and Mahjoor is given its rightful space in the legislature. Kashmiri deserves not mere tokenism but institutional respect.
The time has come to match words with action. The preservation of a language begins where it is spoken freely—especially in the house that represents the people.
