Over the years, no attempt has been made to preserve the language or its literature,” said Shashi Shekhar Toshkhani, a scholar who has done extensive research on the Kashmiri language, literature and culture. Apart from researching the evolution of Kashmiri, the proposed council will also facilitate translation of its literary works into various Indian and international languages. Sources told HT that the proposed council will focus on promoting Kashmiri literature – currently written in the Devanagari and Perso-Arabic scripts – and attempt to revive their forerunner, Sharada. Hoping to succeed where the erstwhile UPA government failed, the BJP-led Union government has proposed the formation of a national council to prevent the Kashmiri language and its original script – Sharada – from becoming extinct. The proposal to use Devanagari and Sharada as the script for Kashmiri has evoked protests from various sections of the Muslim-majority state.

Source: Hindustan Times May 16, 2016 01:26 UTC