‘Jai Duggar’: Shiv Sena (UBT) J&K celebrates Dogri Recognition Day

Jammu, Dec 22: In a heartfelt push to promote the Dogri language, the Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir unit, led by president Manish Sahni, held a special programme at their central office to commemorate Dogri Recognition Day. The gathering aimed to uplift and revive the Dogri language, encouraging attendees to replace traditional greetings like ‘Hello’ and ‘Hi’ with ‘Jai Duggar’.
During the event, Sahni urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to embrace their linguistic heritage. He highlighted the importance of the saying “Mithdi ai Dogra di boli, Khand mithe log Dogra”. He called on the people to unite in a pledge to promote and protect their mother tongue, which was officially included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution on December 22, 2003.
According to a party statement issued here, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, in a show of support, held placards advocating for key initiatives, including making Dogri a compulsory subject in government and private schools, conducting government business in Dogri, and incorporating the language into Smart City signage and information boards.
Sahni expressed concern that, despite the passage of time since its recognition, the Dogri language continues to face challenges and lacks the respect it deserves. “Efforts must be made to ensure that Dogri is taught at all educational levels—from primary to higher secondary. It’s also essential that Dogri is used in government operations,” he said.
Manish encouraged parents to instill the love of the language in their children, thereby fostering a sense of cultural pride. He urged shopkeepers and traders to display signage in Dogri alongside English and Hindi to promote its use in everyday commerce.
The event was attended by key party figures including Meenakshi Chhibber, Sanjeev Kohli, Bharat Mahajan, Rajesh Jandial, Raj Singh, and Rohan Malwal, all of whom echoed Sahni’s sentiments on the importance of preserving and promoting the Dogri language and culture.