CHANDIGARH A wave of protests has hit the capital, with writers, educators, and political activists rallying against a recent policy change in Army Public Schools (APS) that side-lines the Punjabi language. The demonstrators are demanding that the Union government intervene to reverse the decision, which has relegated Punjabi to an “optional” status while making Sanskrit compulsory for the 2026-27 academic session.
The protest, organized by the Kendri Lekhak Sabha at Sector-17, Chandigarh, saw a united front of civil society leaders, including farmer representatives and MLA Pargat Singh, calling for the immediate protection of the state’s linguistic identity.
The Policy Conflict
The controversy stems from a directive issued by the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES), which operates over 130 schools across India. Under the new guidelines, parents are now required to submit a formal “consent slip” if they wish for their children to study Punjabi as an additional subject.
Critics have labelled this move “arbitrary” and a direct violation of The Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages (Amendment) Act, 2008, which mandates that Punjabi be taught as a compulsory subject up to Class 10 in every school operating within the state, regardless of its management.
Protesters’ Demands
During the demonstration, participants emphasized that the side-lining of the mother tongue in Punjab-based institutions is a “weakening of the cultural and linguistic fabric” of the state. Their core demands include:
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Mandatory Status: Punjabi must be restored as a compulsory subject in all Army Public Schools located in Punjab.
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Withdrawal of Consent Forms: Immediate removal of the requirement for parents to “opt-in” for their mother tongue.
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Official Status in Chandigarh: Protesters also renewed the demand to grant Punjabi the status of the “first language” in Chandigarh, citing its historical significance as the capital of Punjab.
“This is not a one-day movement,” declared Deepak Sharma Chanarthal, President of the Central Writers’ Association Chandigarh. “If the central government does not withdraw this decision, we will escalate our protests through democratic channels, including public campaigns and persistent advocacy.”
Official and Institutional Stances
The Army authorities have defended the policy by citing the need for “standardization” across their nationwide school network. They argue that frequent inter-state transfers of military personnel necessitate a uniform curriculum—predominantly English, Hindi, and Sanskrit—to ensure educational continuity for students.
However, the state government remains under pressure to act. Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has confirmed that his ministry is reviewing the matter. He noted that in past instances, the state government had successfully pressured Army authorities to comply with local language laws, and he suggested that officials are currently exploring similar measures to resolve the current impasse.
As the standoff continues, activists maintain that the struggle to safeguard the rights and identity of the Punjabi language will remain a non-negotiable priority for the people of the state.
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