Doda becomes a debate hub once again following the amendment in signboard of GHSS Boys Doda

Dil Bar Irshad | October 1, 2025 | 09:29 AM IST | Breaking News, Doda, Jammu Kashmir | Tags: Doda, Jammu Kashmir news | Follow on Google News

Doda becomes a debate hub once again following the amendment in signboard of GHSS Boys Doda

Once again, the district Doda became the debate hub following the amendment in signboard controversy of Govt Hr Sec School Boys, Doda, leading to widespread debate and reaction from various quarters.

What Actually Happened?

The signboard of Govt Hr Sec School Boys Doda was amended with a new paint, tricolour background, and rewriting of the phrase “Satyamev Jayate” in Roman script. The amendment was made twice, as the size of the phrase Satyamev Jayate was reduced and later rewritten in Roman, Devanagari and Nastaliq scripts. After the first amendment, the political groups protested and forced the administration to make the second amendment. However, the concerned quarters state that the school’s name is written only in the English language.

What was the Earlier Signboard’s Visuality?

Earlier, the signboard used to have a dark blue background, carrying the Quranic phrase “Minnaz Zulumati Ilan Noor” in Arabic. The signboard also carried the name in English and Urdu, with the UDISE code in a corner.

Political Lashback

Shadab Suharwardy, National Conference leader, in a Facebook post stated: “This is not just a change of paint — it is a deliberate attempt to wipe away the linguistic and cultural identity of Jammu & Kashmir. When Urdu is still an official language under law, what justifies this forced removal?”

Shadab also added: “We don’t have a problem using Hindi/Sanskrit or any language, but we strongly object to the removal of Urdu.”

Earlier, the signboard proudly carried the name of the school in English as well as Urdu — the language that has been the cultural and administrative backbone of J&K for decades and continues to be one of its official languages, says Shadab Suharwardy.

“The removal of Urdu from the signboard of Boys HSS Doda hurt local sentiments. Grateful to DC Doda Sh. @harvinder_ias ji for swift action & restoring Urdu. We also request the restoration of the official JKBOSE logo,” says President Chenab Valley, Youth National Conference Jammu Kashmir.

National Conference leader Shadab Suharwardy earlier thanked Deputy Commissioner Doda for the amendment but demanded restoration of the official logo of Jammu Kashmir Board of School Education.

“I thanked DC Doda Harvinder Singh ji for his immediate intervention, but I thought they were writing the school’s name in Urdu. Instead, they have written Satyameva Jayate in three languages. This is not acceptable. Appreciation is withdrawn and we will continue to protest. I request to write the school’s name in all three languages (English/Urdu/Hindi). Satyameva Jayate can be written anywhere in the school premises. Restoring the JKBOSE logo is also mandatory,” says Shadab Suharwardy.

As the matter has gone viral on social media, users have expressed serious concerns. Some demand the usage of all languages, while others state it is an attack on linguistic culture and identity.

A few social media users state it is an act of diverting attention from the shortage of staff and worsening conditions of the institution’s infrastructure.

Earlier, Urdu used to be the sole official language, but after the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 came into force, the sole rule of Urdu came to an end and official status was accorded to five languages including Urdu, Hindi, English, Kashmiri, and Dogri.

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.