For centuries, the Kashmiri Pandit community has been the torchbearer of Kashmiri language, culture, and heritage. Yet, their rightful demand for the recognition of Kashmiri written in Devanagari script remains unfulfilled. This is not just a linguistic issue but a matter of identity, cultural preservation, and justice for a community that has endured decades of displacement and marginalization.
Kashmiri, a language deeply rooted in the traditions of Shaivism, Sanskritic influences, and Sufi mysticism, has been a fundamental part of the socio-cultural landscape of Kashmir. Ancient Kashmiri texts, including those written by great saints and scholars like Lal Ded and Abhinavagupta, bear testimony to its profound literary and philosophical depth. However, in recent decades, there has been an aggressive attempt to isolate the Kashmiri Pandit community from its own linguistic heritage. One of the most significant challenges is the imposition of the Perso-Arabic script, which alienates the displaced Kashmiri Pandits from their own mother tongue. Historically, Kashmiri Pandits have been more accustomed to writing and reading Kashmiri in Devanagari due to their close association with Sanskrit and Hindi. The exclusion of Devanagari as an officially recognized script for Kashmiri has created an artificial linguistic barrier for the exiled community.
The 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution recognizes Kashmiri as one of the official languages of India. However, the manner in which it is implemented is highly discriminatory. Currently, the official script for Kashmiri remains the Perso-Arabic script, which is primarily used by Kashmiri-speaking Muslims. This completely disregards the writing system used by Kashmiri Pandits, who have traditionally recorded the language in Devanagari. By denying Devanagari its rightful recognition, the Indian state has effectively excluded an entire community from accessing their own language in education, literature, and governmental use. This is not just a scriptural issue—it is an attempt to erase the Kashmiri Pandit identity from its historical and cultural roots.
Kashmiri Pandits have long used Devanagari to document their language, particularly in exile. Even before their mass exodus, many Pandit scholars used Devanagari in religious texts, poetry, and philosophical works. Most Kashmiri Pandits, particularly the younger generation in exile, have grown up reading and writing in Hindi and Sanskrit, both of which use the Devanagari script. Recognizing Kashmiri in Devanagari would ensure that displaced Pandits do not lose their linguistic connection. With the growing influence of digital communication, most modern devices support Devanagari far better than Perso-Arabic. Implementing Kashmiri in Devanagari would facilitate its widespread use in online literature, education, and communication. The exclusivity of the Perso-Arabic script is a forced imposition that does not represent the entirety of Kashmiri speakers. Recognizing Devanagari would correct this imbalance and acknowledge the linguistic heritage of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
India is a diverse nation where multiple scripts are recognized for the same language. For instance, Konkani is written in both Devanagari and Roman scripts. Similarly, Santali is recognized in Ol Chiki as well as Devanagari. If other linguistic communities can have dual script recognition, why should Kashmiri be restricted to only one script? The Government of India, especially under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has made significant strides in recognizing and restoring the cultural heritage of various communities. However, the Kashmiri Pandit community continues to feel ignored in critical matters such as language preservation. It is imperative that the Government of India immediately amends the language policy to include Devanagari as an official script for Kashmiri, along with Perso-Arabic. Schools and universities offering Kashmiri as a subject must provide an option to study it in Devanagari, so that Kashmiri Pandit students are not excluded from learning their own language. All government notices, official documents, and publications in Kashmiri should be made available in both scripts to ensure equal accessibility for all Kashmiri-speaking communities. Grants and awards should be provided to scholars and authors who write in Kashmiri using Devanagari, encouraging the growth of literature in this script. Government websites and digital platforms should include Kashmiri in Devanagari script to ensure its integration into modern technology and communication.
The demand for Devanagari script recognition is not just about language—it is about the dignity and rights of an exiled Kashmiri Pandit community that has already lost so much. Kashmiri Pandits have been driven out of their ancestors land , their properties looted, their temples desecrated, and their voices suppressed. To deny them the right to read and write their mother tongue in their preferred script is yet another injustice that cannot be ignored. It is time for the Indian Government, linguistic policymakers, and cultural bodies to take a firm stand in favor of linguistic justice. Kashmiri Pandits, despite being victims of genocide and displacement, have remained unwavering in their commitment to preserving their identity. Recognizing Kashmiri in Devanagari is a step towards restoring their rightful cultural and linguistic heritage. The question we must ask today is whether the nation will allow this historical wrong to continue or finally acknowledge the rightful place of Kashmiri Pandits in their own language. The answer lies in action, and the time for that action is now.
“Jai Bharat — Jai Kashyap Bhoomi “
[ Kundan Kashmiri ]
Sevak & President, Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC)
Mobile No 8892157855
Email —kundankashmiri@gnail.com