Mirwaiz wants Kashmir history taught in schools
Hurriyat-M chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today insisted on teaching history of Kashmir to the young generation in schools by compulsorily introducing it in the curriculum.
Mirwaz said that the rich culture of Kashmir and the life of Sufi saints “who had laid foundation for renaissance in that dark era in Kashmir” have been ignored by all the dispensations here.
“Under a conspiracy, our real culture and life of pious Sufi saints has not been taught to us in schools, and the same conspiracy continues with the present generation. The syllabus in government as well as private schools should be restructured to include real Kashmir history in it,” local news agency KNS quoted Mirwaiz as saying.
He said that children in Kashmir are taught about French and American revolutions but nothing about Kashmir’s history.
“It is unfortunate that our youth and children are unaware of our rich history and past as the history of Kashmir is not part of any school curriculum. We hardly know about the role of our greats like Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, Zainul Abideen Budshah, Lal Ded, Hamza Mukhdoom Kashmiri and others, who enriched our language, culture, crafts, economy, politics and all spheres of life,” Mirwaiz said.
He said that if the present state of teaching continues, future generations will know Kashmir’s culture as only being about ‘Wazwan’ (Kashmiri cuisine).
Mirwaiz also said it is regrettable that while nations across the world are proud of their local language, and consider it an important part of their heritage and identity, “we in Kashmir discourage our children from speaking in our own language and rather see it as an embarrassment if they do, as a consequence of which those who do, develop an inferiority complex.”
Mirwaiz said that it is scientifically proven that children learn and grasp best in their mother tongue.
He said while it is good that some effort is being made at school-level to save the language but unless our children don’t speak and interact in our language it will surely vanish.
Mirwaiz also stressed upon the educationists to put in their serious efforts to help include Kashmir history and heritage as a compulsory part of school curriculum.
He said it is the duty of the government to ensure this happens, especially at a time when there is a concerted effort in India to distort historical facts and figures that belong to a particular community.
Mirwaiz also stressed upon the younger generation to live by the teachings of the Prophet (PHUH) for a meaningful and purposeful life.
