KARGIL, JANUARY 14, 2022: In a letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, socio-religious organizations of Ladakh have demanded the withdrawal of SO-3 for the larger interest of the people of Ladakh.

A letter signed by major stakeholders of Ladakh viz Jamiat Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil, Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust Kargil, Anjuman Sahib Zaman Sankoo, Anjuman Imamia Leh, Anjuman Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Kargil, Anjuman Moinul Islam Leh, Anjuman Sofia Noorbakshia Kargil, and Anjuman Sofia Noorbakshia Leh requested the home minister to withdraw SO-3 that removes Urdu as the official language in the revenue department of Ladakh.

“With due respect, we the representatives and stakeholders of the Union Territory of Ladakh want to draw your kind attention towards the Notification issued by the Revenue Department of the Union Territory of Ladakh vide. SO-3 on 07 January 2022 in which the UT administration has shown an unreasonable approach towards the Urdu language. Which was a biased and undemocratic step towards the majority population of our region.” The letter maintained.

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“In this regard we put forth the following for your consideration:-

“Historically, Urdu was introduced in Ladakh as one of the official languages by the then Dogra Maharaja Partap Singh in 1889. Under the Dogra regime, the First Settlement Operation was conducted in Ladakh, Baltistan, and Gilgit Wazarat, in the early years of 20” century (Ref. Ladakh Archives). All these records and their entries, maps are entered in the Urdu language. Urdu was made a medium of teaching in schools by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1940. The records continue to be maintained till now by Urdu knowing officials in the revenue department. Presently Revenue Records of more than a hundred thirty-year-old are in Urdu in their offices.

“Urdu is the medium among the ethnicities and is one of the important international languages largely spoken in the Sub Continent, was known to Ladakhies by the 19th century. Historians have stated that it was Urdu which was Lingua-Franca among locals and outside traders.

“An abrupt shift or posting people /officials not familiar with Urdu as the entire records being in Urdu may create a vacuum, Chaos, and confusion with tremendous miseries to the general public as well as functioning of the Revenue Department in UT of Ladakh. Besides such a paradigm shift in age-old system may need to apply serious thought and pre-planning as well as a period of preparation.

“Since Ladakh is the Muslim majority UT and there are approximately 75% Urdu speaking population while as there are 100% Urdu speaking population in Pakistan Occupied Ladakh (Gilgit Baltistan). So, this would be a disastrous step to ignore Urdu in the Union Territory.

“Therefore, we appeal your good self to kindly intervene and direct the UT Ladakh Administration of Ladakh to revoke this controversial and unjust SO-3 at the earliest.