In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the deliberate non-availability of Kashmiri language textbooks in government schools up to Class 8 has sparked widespread concern among educationists and rights activists, who view it as part of India’s broader plan to erase Kashmir’s cultural identity and disconnect the new generation from its linguistic roots.
The Kashmiri language remained without textbooks throughout the outgoing academic session, even though students were tested in the subject. Teachers were forced to rely on outdated notes, photocopies, and self-prepared lessons due to the absence of official materials.
Educators, parents, and civil society members have condemned the move, asserting that depriving students of Kashmiri-language textbooks while promoting Hindi and Sanskrit reflects India’s colonial agenda to culturally annex the territory. They demanded a thorough probe and immediate corrective measures to ensure the preservation of Kashmiri language and identity in the education system.
