Baloch tribesmen want their language added to syllabus

KABUL Baluch Council, stressing the importance of mother tongue, on Wednesday asked the government to include Balochi language in school syllabus.

Shir Aqa Baluch, the Afghan Balchs coordination and social council head, told a gathering honoring Baloch culture, said Balochis lived in 23 provinces of the country particularly in Nimroz, Helmand and Farah provinces.

He accused the government of negligence in promoting the culture and language of Balochs, saying the lack of attention from the central government had led to migration of Baloch people and their culture and language had been harmed.

Shir Aqa said the government considering the current situation should provide health and teaching services, potable water and pay heed to language and culture of Baluch.

Otherwise, he said, the minority tribe reaching up to four million people would face further problems.

Abdul Satar Pordali, a member at the Academy of Sciences and a Baloch culturist, said the government should function under the Constitution and act based on the principle of equal rights and meritocracy and ensure the rights of Balochs.

“The sweet Balochi language of has ancient roots and currently the language is spoken not only in Afghanistan but in Pakistan, Iran, Arabic countries, Central Asian and even in Europe and Africa.”

“The language and culture of Baloch has faced ups and downs in Afghanistan, as in 1340-50-60s of solar years, Baloch children had access to learning Balochi language.”

Abdul Ghafoor Liwal, acting borders and tribal affairs minister, acknowledged Baluchi language was one of the neglected languages and there was a need for steps at strengthening and improving it.

 “The Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs along with the Ministry of Education has a scheme at hand to provide education in Balochi language in areas where Balochs reside.”

Sayed Kamal Sadaat, acting information and culture minister, said: “In the history, the bravery, championship and brilliant culture of Baluchs has a mention and preserving their culture, basic work and measures are required.”

President Ashraf Ghani through a message readout on the occasion marking culture and language of Baluchs, said Baloch culture was a great spiritual heritage which should be strengthened and introduced to all.

President Ghani said the Constitution considered Baloch language as third official language in areas where it was spoken after Pashto and Dari.

Article 16th of the Constitution says: “From amongst Pashto, Dari, Uzbeki, Turkmani, Balochi, Pachaie, Nuristani, Pamiri and other current languages in the country, Pashto and Dari shall be the official languages of the state.

The article adds: In areas where the majority of the people speak in language, in addition to Pashto and Dari, shall be the third official language, the usage of which shall be regulated by law.

The state shall design and apply effective programs to foster and develop all languages of Afghanistan, the article says.

“Usage of all current languages in the country shall be free in press publications and mass media. Academic and national administrative terminology and usage in the country shall be preserved.”

sns/ma

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