J&K Promises Bill to Make Punjabi an Official Language; Sikh Sit-In Endsਜੰਮੂ-ਕਸ਼ਮੀਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਬਿੱਲ ਦਾ ਵਾਅਦਾ, ਸਿੱਖ ਸੰਗਤ ਦਾ ਧਰਨਾ ਖ਼ਤਮ

Sikh groups in Jammu and Kashmir have ended a 14-day sit-in after the National Conference government gave a written assurance that a Bill to make Punjabi an official language of the Union Territory will be brought in the Assembly's forthcoming Budget Session, The Tribune, The Indian Express and ETV Bharat reported on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

The assurance was signed by Shammi Oberoi, the National Conference treasurer and Rajya Sabha member, at a meeting in Srinagar with an 11-member delegation of the J&K Sikh Sangat led by former minister Manjit Singh. Gurdwara management committee representatives were part of the delegation, The Indian Express reported.

What exactly did the government promise?

Oberoi wrote that "a comprehensive Bill regarding the official status and implementation of Punjabi language will be introduced in the forthcoming Budget session," and that the government "will ensure the Bill and its related modalities are passed in the Assembly and fully implemented." He said the commitment was in line with the National Conference's manifesto and had the backing of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, according to The Tribune.

The Indian Express reported the Bill is expected in the 2027 Budget Session. Northlines and Daily Excelsior added that Gojri and Pahari are to be covered as well; Daily Excelsior carried a slightly different timeline, so the exact session is still to be confirmed by the government.

Why were Sikhs protesting?

The community had been holding a dharna near the Tawi bridge in Jammu, in front of the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh, since October 1, demanding that Punjabi be added to the Union Territory's official languages. After the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020, the UT's official languages are English, Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri and Hindi, The Indian Express noted.

Granting Punjabi official status was one of the National Conference's promises in the 2024 Assembly election, and the demand was supported by NC and BJP leaders and by members of other communities, the paper reported. ETV Bharat said the Sangat thanked a local mosque and a temple for supporting the sit-in.

What did the protest leaders say?

Manjit Singh told the Sangat that they had been told verbally the Bill would come in the next Budget Session, but "demanded to get the written assurance," which the government committee, which included adviser Nasir Aslam Wani, agreed to give, ETV Bharat reported. Congress leader Taranjit Singh Tony, who led the daily demonstrations at Tawi bridge, urged people in Jammu to speak their mother tongue and pass it to the next generation. Daily Excelsior reported that the Punjabi Morcha also appealed to the Prime Minister to restore Punjabi in the CBSE curriculum.

Why does Punjabi matter in Jammu?

ETV Bharat noted that Punjabi flourished in the region during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's rule between 1819 and 1846, and quoted writer Khalid Hussain as saying roughly 75 per cent of people in undivided Jammu and Kashmir spoke Punjabi in 1941. He said more than 1.5 lakh people besides Sikhs speak Punjabi in Jammu city alone, and argued the movement should not be seen only through a religious lens.

Will Punjabi become an official language of J&K?

Not yet. The government has promised a Bill in the Budget Session; it must still be introduced and passed by the Assembly before Punjabi gets official status.

Which languages are official in J&K now?

English, Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri and Hindi, under the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020.

Who gave the written assurance?

Shammi Oberoi, the National Conference treasurer and Rajya Sabha MP, on behalf of the government and party leadership.