Protest held over neglect of Sanskrit Subject

Jammu Tawi: In a growing protest against the alleged neglect of the Sanskrit subject in Jammu and Kashmir, a group of Sanskrit scholars and students raised their voices after a document surfaced in the public domain, revealing that the upcoming vacancies for higher secondary schools in the region do not include a single post for Sanskrit teachers. Veena Sharma, a PhD scholar in Sanskrit, in a press conference, her today condemned the omission, calling it part of a recurring pattern of neglect towards the Sanskrit department. She pointed to previous instances of curriculum abandonment and teacher recruitment issues, accusing the administration of systematically sidelining the subject. Sharma also warned of a “conspiracy to obliterate Sanskrit”, particularly at the college level, where Sanskrit has not been introduced as a course despite widespread demand. Scholars and students, including those from Jammu University’s Sanskrit Department, joined the protest, demanding immediate action. The protesters called on the education minister to address the issue by providing teaching posts for Sanskrit and restoring the subject’s place in the academic curriculum. Sharma further warned that if the government does not take action within a reasonable timeframe, a massive protest would be organized. The group emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Sanskrit, not only as a subject of academic interest but also as a vital part of the region’s cultural heritage.