Former MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) met Lieutenant Governor Brig. (Dr.) BD Mishra (Retd) at Raj Niwas to push for Bhoti to be declared Ladakh’s official language. He presented a memorandum explaining the importance of Bhoti in protecting Ladakh’s cultural and linguistic identity.
The Lt. Governor assured Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) that efforts are being made to make Bhoti, along with Urdu and two other languages, the official languages of Ladakh.
Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) highlighted that Bhoti is important for preserving Ladakh’s legacy and passing it to future generations. “Making Bhoti the official language is necessary to protect Ladakh’s unique culture,” he said.
He pointed out that while Jammu and Kashmir already have their official languages, Ladakh has not yet made similar progress.
Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) highlighted that Bhoti connects societies across the Himalayas, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and Mongolia. It has a rich history and has contributed to fields like treatment, architecture, philosophy, and art.
In 2022, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) introduced a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament to contain Bhoti in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, making it the first time such a proposal was made.
During his term as MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) worked to promote Bhoti in schools. He confirmed 292 teaching positions for Bhoti under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan and supported including Bhoti in the CBSE syllabus in 2023, aligning with the National Education Policy.
Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) has been fighting for Bhoti’s recognition since his student days, attending seminars and writing articles to raise awareness about the importance of language.
The memorandum Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) submitted reflects the desire of Ladakh’s people to protect their language and culture. He suggested the government to act quickly, calling it necessary for preserving Ladakh’s identity and adding to India’s linguistic diversity.
Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) promised to continue working until Bhoti gets its rightful place as Ladakh’s official language and in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. (PR)