'Dogri, Gojri getting step-motherly treatment by DD in J&K'

Jammu, Oct 12 (UNI) The Dogri and Gojri languages were being ''deliberately muzzled'' in Jammu and Kashmir by the national broadcaster Doordarshan by giving undue importance and space to the Kashmiri on DD Kashir channel, state-based cultural organisations said here today.

Addressing mediapersons here, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation National Secretary Javed Rahi said, ''The Dogri and Gojri languages have been deliberately ignored by DD Kashir, as only two per cent space has been provided to the programmes in these two languages.'' ''Only the programmes in Kashmiri language are being promoted, despite the fact that Gojri and Dogri are the medium of mass communication in bordering parts of the state, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK),'' he added.

Terming it the cultural invasion unleashed on Dogras and Gujjars, Dr Rahi said, ''Both the Dogri and Gojri cultures were being given step-motherly treatment and Kashmiri culture is being imposed on people.'' The Gujjar leader demanded that government launch separate channels for Dogri and Gojri on Doordarshan if it is not possible to provide due space to these languages.

Meanwhile, Nami Dogri Sanstha president Lalit Magotra, in his statement, said, ''DD Kashir has not only failed in meeting the aspiration and expectations of the people of Jammu region as well as the tribals residing in border belts of the Kashmir valley, it has also failed in its much-publicised aim of countering the false and malicious propaganda of the TV channels from across the international borders.'' The residents of PoK, who belonged to the Gujjar community, are not conversant with the Kashmiri language and speak only Gojri, he said.

''So, by promoting these two languages (Dogri and Gojri) through media can improve relations between divided population of the state,'' he asserted.

Both the leaders, however, alleged that the DD Kashir was in no way the representative TV channel of all communities and tribes of Jammu and Kashmir.

UNI