Senior CPI (M) leader and MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has demanded the introduction of Kashmiri language as a compulsory subject to be taught up to class X in all the High Schools across the State.“Mother tongue is the cornerstone of the edifice of identity of any nation. In order to preserve the centuries old Kashmiri identity, we should protect Kashmiri language,” he said on the eve of International Mother Language Day. He said “the Government must ensure that this language is made a compulsory subject to be taught upto standard X in all the schools across the State,” he said.Tarigami expressed concern over what he termed as the failure of the successive Governments not fulfilling their commitments made on the floor of the House in this regard.“I had raised this issue on the floor of Legislative Assembly at several occasions and the successive Government assured me that this will be taken up on priority and necessary steps will be taken in this regard,” he said.“Unfortunately those categorical assurances have not been implemented so far, resulting in uncertainty among the scholars, students and other sections of the society who feel deeply concerned about the future of the Kashmiri language,” he said. (KNS)