APSCC hails inclusion of Punjabi in schools as compulsory subject

The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC), on Thursday, expressed gratitude to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Minister for Education Syed Mohammad Atlaf Bukhari for passing directions to the Department of Education for introducing Punjabi language as a compulsory subject in the schools of the state.

APSCC chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina, said that these step would go a long way in restoring the glory of Punjabi language in the state.

“It is heartening that the state government has listened to its conscience and ordered for teaching Punjabi as one of the compulsory subjects in the educational institutions of the state.

“Since Punjabi language is the oldest language of the state, it needs to be given a boost by the people at helm. The directions issued by the government in this regard would act as a morale booster for the language and also to the people who are attached to it in many ways. We thank the chief minister and the minister for education for taking a timely step in this regard.”

The APSCC chairman said that Punjabi besides being popular among the Sikhs is also popular among the Muslims and Hindus living in India and Pakistan.

Raina said, “Language does not belong to any community or religion but it belongs to the people who speak, read and write the same irrespective of their religious affiliation. The Jammu and Kashmir constitution gives due recognition to all the regional languages and it is the duty of the state government to make the facilities available in this regard. It should take all the steps so that Punjabi is taught as a compulsory subject in the educational institutions of the state at the higher level.”

The APSCC chairman also conveyed his gratitude to all the gurdwara prabhandhak committees of the state, especially of Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam and Jammu for making a vociferous demand for making Punjabi as a compulsory subject in the educational institutions of Jammu and Kashmir. He also conveyed his gratitude to Sikh Students Federation, Punjabi Sahitya Sabha, Lekhak Sabha Jammu and all the other people for their unflinching support in this regard.

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