Kargil, December 29, 2024 – A crucial meeting was convened by the Ladakh Academy of Arts, Culture & Languages, Kargil, on December 26, 2024. The meeting brought together distinguished scholars, poets, and language experts representing various languages spoken in the region. The attendees deliberated extensively on the linguistic and cultural concerns of the Union Territory of Ladakh, resulting in the adoption of a series of resolutions to protect and promote the region’s linguistic diversity.

RESOLUTION
Dated: December 26, 2024

In reference to the meeting called by Ladakh Academy of Arts, Culture & Languages, Kargil on 26 Dec. 2024, the undersigned scholars, poets, and language experts attended the meeting representing their respective languages. Owing to the fact that Kargil is a significant Multi-Lingual and Multi-ethnic geographical entity of Ladakh, the attendees of the meeting representing Purgi, Balti, Shina (Dardic), and Brok-skat (Dardic) languages passed the following resolutions on this day of Wednesday, December 25, 2024, after detailed deliberations and discussions:

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We strongly resolve that Purgi, Balti, Shina (Dardic), and Brok-skat(Dardic), encompassing more than 70% Population of Union Territory of Ladakh, be declared as official languages drawing analogy from the neighboring Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir where more than one language has been given the official status.

It came to learn from the attached documents in the meeting vide ref: Secy (Cul)/2024/UTL/3100-3105, Dated 23-12-2024, the Draft Cabinet Note proposes English, Hindi, Urdu and Bhoti to be promulgated as official Languages of Union Territory of Ladakh under section 58(2) of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019.

However, the letter itself declares the so-called ‘Bhoti’ as classified under ‘Bhotia’ language. Further, the letter suggests that the language name for Official recognition be modified as Bhotia/Bhoti. We affirm that this is itself an evidence that no language named as ‘Bhoti’ ever existed in the history of Ladakh which can also be reaffirmed from the Census 2001 where the Language of Ladakh is mentioned as Ladakhi only.

Thus, we strongly oppose to the so-called term “Bhoti” that is being proposed by a section of society claiming to be the language of entire Ladakh. As this demand is prominently being raised from Leh, however, we don’t have any objection that if the term “Bhoti” be renamed replacing “Ladakhi” in the areas of Leh only and the same cannot be imposed on the whole Union Territory that has diverse linguistic and ethnic identities.

In para 3 of the attached letter, the DCN suggests that the name “Purgi” may be corrected as “Purkhi”. We oppose this suggestion and affirm that the name of the language is “Purgi”. Hence, the name “Purkhi” be corrected as “Purgi”. Moreover, the table attached in the letter referring to Census 2011 shows Purgi as ‘Tibetan/Purkhi’. It needs to be corrected.

Furthermore, the para 3 of the letter refers to a suggestion of the DCN that “Dardi” may be clubbed with Kashmiri and Shina may be shown separately. This information is technically as well as historically incorrect and needs to be rectified as “Shina Dardic” and “Brokskat Dardic”.

It is also probable that “Ladakhi” may be used as a nomenclature for languages being spoken across Ladakh. Owing to the diverse linguistic, cultural and historical backgrounds, such coinage of terminology shall not be acceptable.