Punjab Assembly seeks to make Punjabi Language compulsory until Class 10

After the Maharashtra government made Marathi compulsory for its students until class 10, it is the Punjab state assembly that has passed a resolution asking the state government to make the Punjabi language compulsory in all the state schools until class 10.

The resolution which was passed unanimously also made recommendations for making court orders to be made available in Punjabi. The Technical Education Minister, Charanjit Singh Channi moved the resolution during the budget session of the state assembly asking the government to take steps for making the Punjabi language a compulsory subject in all the government and private schools in the state until class 10.

Mr. Channi after moving the resolution said that as per a UNO report, the Punjabi language was among the 2000 languages which could disappear in the next 50 years, adding that strenuous efforts must be made for the survival of the language. He also pointed out that the language must be given due respect in its neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chandigarh.

He also added that efforts have to be made in making Punjabi the first language in Chandigarh and teaching it must be made compulsory in all the government and private schools in the state capital. He also added that a commission must be formed in order to enforce the use of the language in the state adding that there have been reports of schools in the state which fined students for conversing in Punjabi.

Other members of the government while supporting the resolution also added that the Punjabi language must be made compulsory in convent schools as well.

Punjabi is taught as a compulsory subject in government schools in the state while the subject is optional in the private schools under the CBSE board.

Also Read: Maharashtra Legislative Council Passes bill making Marathi compulsory subject in schools in the state