Punjab, February 27:
The Punjab government has announced that Punjabi will now be a compulsory subject in all schools across the state, regardless of the board they are affiliated with. The decision was taken in response to the controversy surrounding the CBSE’s new draft norms, which allegedly excluded Punjabi from the list of main subjects for Class 10. The state government emphasized that any school failing to implement this mandate will have its education certificates declared invalid.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains issued a fresh notification to ensure that Punjabi remains a core subject in the state’s education system. He criticized the CBSE for allegedly sidelining Punjabi in its revised examination policy, where subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English were categorized as primary subjects, while regional and foreign languages were placed in a separate group. Bains asserted that Punjabi had been unjustly excluded from the regional language list, calling it a deliberate move against the language and its cultural significance.
He further pointed out that while foreign languages such as Thai, German, and French were retained, Punjabi was omitted. Stressing the widespread use of Punjabi in states like Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, Bains reiterated its historical and cultural importance. He stated that Punjabi is not merely a language but a representation of Punjab’s rich heritage, spoken and valued by millions across India.
The controversy arose after the Punjab BJP referred to the omission of Punjabi as a “clerical mistake.” However, Bains dismissed this explanation, accusing them of disregarding the sentiments of the Punjabi people. He also mentioned that he had written to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, demanding clarification on the issue and urging corrective action.
To strengthen the role of Punjabi in the education system, the Punjab government has issued an immediate directive making it a mandatory subject in Class 10, applicable to all educational boards operating within the state. Additionally, a new education policy is set to be introduced, with an expert committee being formed to guide its implementation.
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has also condemned the CBSE’s alleged removal of Punjabi from the regional language list and demanded its reinstatement. Former education minister and senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema expressed his concern over the decision, stating that Punjabi had previously been removed from the regional language list in Jammu and Kashmir as well. He emphasized that Punjabi is widely spoken across the country and argued that its exclusion from the list amounted to discrimination against Punjabis residing in different states.
Cheema also criticized the Union government for its alleged bias against Punjabi, questioning the rationale behind such an exclusion and calling for immediate corrective measures.
With strong opposition from various political factions and cultural groups, the issue has sparked significant debate, highlighting the importance of preserving linguistic heritage in education policies.
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