Punjabi continues to face neglect despite 50 yrs of statehood

Even after more than half a century since the formation of the Punjabi-speaking state, the status of the Punjabi language in government offices remains dismal. The bureaucracy continues to disregard official directives mandating the use of Punjabi in administrative work, said members of the Kendri Punjabi Sahit Sabha.

In a statement issued on the occasion of Punjab Day, Sabha president Darshan Butter, general secretary Sushil Dusanjh, senior vice-president Makhan Kuhar and office secretary Deep Devinder Singh said that despite over 50 years since Punjab’s reorganisation, the mother tongue has not received due respect in official functioning.

They remarked that successive governments and political parties have failed to take concrete steps to promote Punjabi, despite repeated promises. “No political party has shown clear intent or a well-defined policy for the progress of the Punjabi language,” the office-bearers said.

The writers also expressed concern that, even after five decades, the Punjabi-speaking state still lacks its own capital and high court. Instead of addressing these long-pending issues, political forces have allegedly exploited linguistic and regional tensions between Punjab and Haryana for their own benefit.

The association urged the state government to expand employment opportunities in the Punjabi language by ensuring that higher education, including science, law, and technical studies, is available in Punjabi. They also demanded that vacant teaching posts in schools and colleges be filled on priority.