Srinagar, May 2 -- People's Democratic Front (PDF) President and former minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen on Saturday asserted that Urdu remains the official language of Jammu & Kashmir and has historically played a significant role in India's freedom struggle. He said any attempt to sideline the language would undermine the region's cultural and administrative heritage.

Reacting to the recent controversy surrounding Urdu, Yaseen said the government must issue a clear and formal statement instead of relying on what he termed as "verbal and hollow assurances." He stressed that an official clarification is necessary to end confusion and prevent further politicisation of the issue.

"Politics is being played over the language issue to serve v...