Take adequate steps to restore Punjabi language, say experts

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 31

As 2019 has been declared as the year of indigenous languages by UNESCO, activists and enthusiasts of Punjabi language said the Punjabis should get together and take steps for reinstating status of Punjabi as mother-tongue in Punjabi households and outside. They said Punjabi was mother-tongue of all Punjabis and it was time that everybody got together to save the language from attempts to discredit and relegate it or try to dismiss it.

Speaking about it, MS Sekhon, from Punjabi Bhasha Parsaar Bhaichara said attempts were being made in Punjab to dismiss Punjabi but people of Punjab were either not conscious or have been indolent in taking action against such attempts, because Punjabi is being mistreated across private schools, in general public life. “Almost all private schools restrict or prohibit speaking of Punjabi and use Hindi instead of Punjabi, but parents do not raise a voice,” he said.

In general stores and malls, Punjabi is not spoken, but information is given in English or Hindi only.

Even Punjabi University, Patiala, which came into existence on the basis of promotion of Punjabi has not been doing enough for the promotion of the language. “Even the website of the university is still not completely available in Punjabi,” he said.

In Central government undertaking in Southern states, Bengal etc, three-language formula including English, Hindi and state-state-language is used, but in Punjab, Punjabi is kept out purposely, but Punjabis do not object or raise voice. They need to become conscious and awaken in the new year to stop Punjabi from being given secondary treatment, because identity of Punjabis is because of Punjabi language, he said. “All Punjabis, irrespective of religions, must rise together for salvaging Punjabi,” he added.