Making Punjabi optional in Army schools exposes BJP’s anti-Punjab mindset: AAP

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday slammed the BJP-led Centre for the decision to make Sanskrit compulsory and Punjabi an optional subject in Army schools in the state, accusing it of making attempts to undermine Punjab's identity, language and cultural roots. AAP Punjab state media in-charge Baltej Pannu asserted that the BJP's anti-Punjab decisions repeatedly triggered public anger and controversy. "Whether it was the attempt to keep Chandigarh completely under the Centre's control, the move to bring Panjab University under Haryana's fold, or the effort to hand over the management of BBMB to the Centre, the BJP has consistently tried to weaken Punjab at every step. Now, by diminishing the importance of Punjabi language in Army schools, the Centre has once again exposed its narrow and anti-Punjab mindset," he said. Clarifying AAP's stand, Baltej Pannu said, "We are not opposed to any language, but relegating Punjabi to a secondary status on the soil of Punjab is completely unacceptable. We are people who take immense pride in our mother tongue, and we are prepared to stand firm and fight at every level to protect its dignity and honour. This decision is not just an act of linguistic discrimination but a deeper conspiracy to disconnect Punjab from its cultural roots." Pannu demanded that the Centre should immediately revoke what he termed an anti-people and anti-Punjab decision. "Punjabis have always stood united against any insult to their mother tongue and will continue to strongly oppose such authoritarian policies of the Centre in the future as well," he added. MSID: 131037991 413 |