Interview | What to Do When Your Mother-Tongue Fades Away

Born heir apparent to Maharaja Hari Singh and Maharani Tara Devi of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Karan Singh was catapulted into political life at an early age of 18 when, in 1949, he was appointed regent by his father on the intervention of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

In 1967, Singh was inducted as a member of the Union cabinet headed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. At 36, he was the youngest person ever to become a central cabinet minister in India. 

Singh was for many years chancellor of the Jammu and Kashmir University, the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Banaras Hindu University. He was also the only former ruler of a princely state to voluntarily surrender his privy purse.

Singh has been Ambassador of India to the United States from 1989 to 1990. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, a high civilian award, by the president in 2005. He is an honorary Major General in the Indian Army. He is also an author, having written a  number of books on political science and philosophy. He has also published poems in English. He has composed and recited devotional songs in his mother tongue, Dogri. 

In his travels across Jammu, this author found that in urban areas, most people cannot write in Dogri and are often hesitant to speak it. While a few take pride in their linguistic heritage, the majority do not actively engage with it. In contrast, rural communities remain much more connected to their culture and roots. There is a stronger sense of concern among them regarding the preservation and survival of the Dogri language.

Below are excerpts from a conversation with Singh on the language.

What is the status of the Dogri language in Jammu?

When I toured both the cities and rural areas many years ago, Dogri could be heard everywhere, all the time. But over the years, I’ve observed that in urban areas, people have largely shifted to speaking Hindi or other local languages. However, in rural regions, Dogri is still very much alive. There, you’ll find many people, both young and old, who not only speak the language fluently but can also write it. But you’re right – even I have felt this decline. What’s more disheartening is that many of those who do speak Dogri now speak a mixed version – an amalgamation of Dogri and Punjabi. It pains me deeply to see our mother tongue slowly fading away.

Can you tell us about how Dogri language came to be recognised and what more needs to be done to keep it alive?

The history of the Dogri language is both ancient and rich. Its renaissance began in modern times around the 1940s, when prominent figures like Dinu Bhai Pant, Shambhu Nath Sharma (who wrote the Ramayana in Dogri), Kishan Smailpuri, and Padma Sachdev made significant contributions to Dogri literature. During that time, our primary goal was to secure official recognition for the language by getting it included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution – an essential milestone for any language in India. Eventually, with the collective efforts of myself, other leading writers, and the members of the Dogri Sanstha, Dogri was officially included in the 8th Schedule in 2003.

However, witnessing the current decline of the language, I strongly believe that the government must take concrete steps to safeguard it. One crucial initiative would be to incorporate Dogri into the academic curriculum. We can take inspiration from our neighbouring state of Punjab, where it is mandatory for students to study their mother tongue up to the 12th standard.

Even if we cannot implement it up to the 12th grade right away, making Dogri compulsory at least till the 8th standard would be a significant step forward. Something is always better than nothing. Such a move would not only help preserve the language and culture but also create employment opportunities and encourage more people to study and engage with Dogri.

What do you think are the major reasons for the decline of the language in Jammu?

Before we point fingers at the government or administrative bodies, it is important to recognise that we ourselves are partly responsible for the decline of the language. I believe that the influence of modernity has led many people to drift away from their roots. However, if we look at regions like South India or states like Punjab, the mother tongue continues to play a vital role in people’s daily lives. In those places, the native language is integrated into the academic curriculum, and public signage and hoardings are often written in the regional language. Unfortunately, such practices have not been effectively implemented in our region.

If we start adopting these measures gradually, there is a strong possibility that the language can be revived. I also know many friends from rural areas where both they and their families speak and write Dogri fluently. This highlights another issue: the rural-urban divide. In cities, people tend to prefer English or Hindi, whereas in rural areas, people remain more connected to their linguistic roots.

Another major reason for the decline is the lack of parental support. Many parents do not encourage their children to speak Dogri, and in fact, some even feel shy or hesitant to use their mother tongue. But if the language is not spoken at home, not taught in schools, and not valued in society, then it will eventually die out.

What led you to write about Dogra culture and its heritage? 

The rich culture of the Jammu region has always been my source of inspiration to delve deeper into its essence and share its stories. Be it the lively festivals or the remarkable historic sites, Jammu region is full of unique charm which is worth documenting. My deep connection with my region and my regional language, and the historical legacy of the region has been a constant source of motivation in my work. I had already recognised the importance of preserving and promoting this heritage for the coming generations, and I did it through writing. To ensure that my work reached a broader audience, I chose Dogri, Hindi and English as my primary language of expression. 

Do youngster have any career opportunities in Dogri? 

Unfortunately, it is true that there are fewer career opportunities in the Dogri language compared to Hindi, Urdu, and English. Moreover, there is a generally discouraged mindset when it comes to Dogri. If the government takes the initiative to include Dogri in academics, especially at the school level, there could be a significant increase in both government and private job opportunities for our youth. However, in the absence of such policies, people currently see little potential in learning or pursuing a career in the Dogri language. 

What would you want to tell the young?

Language is not just a means of communication – it is, in fact, our identity. The youth are the future, and it is their responsibility to carry forward the legacy of our language. I appeal to the youth of Jammu to speak their mother tongue with confidence and without hesitation. Learn any language you wish to, be it English, Hindi, or any other, but do not forget to learn and cherish your own. If the youth can find time for so many other things, then why not spare some time to learn and preserve their own mother tongue? I still remember the time when Dogri was widely spoken and heard everywhere. What has changed now? We must bring back that pride. If Marathis speak Marathi, Punjabis speak Punjabi, and Malayalis speak Malayalam, then why shouldn’t we speak Dogri?

I sincerely urge the people of Jammu to take care of their mother tongue, because our history, heritage, and culture are deeply rooted in it. If we lose our language, we will also lose our culture.

Rohan Qurashi is a third year student of political science at St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi. 

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