VoL Desk, May 04: Bazm-e-Adab, a well-known literary organisation of Kargil expressed deep concern over the use of the term “Bhoti” for the Ladakhi local language and script with the demand to include it in the Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The organisation last week in a letter to the Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh Radha Krishna Mathur raised objection regarding using the term “Bhoti” for the languages spoken across Ladakh.

Giving reference to the recently moved private bill by the MP Ladakh in the Parliament regarding the inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8^th schedule of the Ministry of languages and culture and declaration of the same as an official language of UT Ladakh, the Bazm-e-Adab stated that ‘Bhoti’ is neither a script nor a language of Ladakh.

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“The term ‘ Bhotï’ has been coined by some people in Leh with some ulterior political motives. The statement that ‘Bhoti’ is the language of whole Ladakh and some other Himalayan states like Sikkim, HP, AP, UK, has not logical as well as linguistic grounds”, read the letter.

“Neither the people of these states speak and understand the so-called Bhoti nor the people of Ladakh understand their language. The only common thing between Ladakhi Buddhists and the Buddhists residing in other states of India may be their religious beliefs in the name of Himalayan or Tibetan Buddhism” the letter added.

“So, they share a common scripture originally derived from old or classical Tibetan culture for their religious practices. It does not mean that they share a common language just on the basis of a common script. A script necessarily may not be a pre-requisite for a common language.”

“Likewise, all the Muslims have a common Holy book Quran basically written in Arabic script. But it is not necessarily mean that Arabic should be the native language of all Muslims across the world.

“Actually, there are four languages /dialects spoken in the whole of Ladakh known as Ladakhi, Purgi, Balti and Shina/ Dardi. As per census, 2011, Ladakhi which is now termed as Bhoti is spoken by 36%, Purgi by 34%, approximately. Three of these languages namely Ladakhi, Purgi and Balti belong to one Sino- Tibetan language family while as Shina/ Dardi belongs to Indo- European language family.

“Presently, Ladakhi is written in Tibetan script which is derived from old Nagri of Gupta period somewhere in 630A.D. Purgi and Balti is written in ‘Nastaliq’ script which is originated from Persio-Arabic scripture. Shina is also written in the same script.

“So, the wrongly interpreted ‘Bhoti’ language may not be justified as an alternative to Ladakhi language merely on the basis of a script by marginalizing its sister languages (Purgi and Balti) spoken and written by the majority of Ladakh population.

“It is therefore requested to your kind authority for due consideration of this important issue while deciding and declaring a particular official language with script for UT Ladakh”, the Bazm-e-Adab demanded.