CHANDIGARH; May 14, 2026: AAP Member of Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Malvinder Singh Kang, on Thursday raised a strong protest against the Panjab University administration for the alleged “systematic erasure” of the Punjabi language from the institution’s physical landscape. In a formal letter addressed to the Vice President of India and University Chancellor, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Kang demanded immediate intervention to restore Punjabi (Gurmukhi) to its rightful place on campus signboards.
The controversy erupted after new signboards were installed across several departments, including the University Institute of Legal Studies, featuring Hindi at the top followed by English and Braille, while conspicuously omitting Punjabi. Kang, a former President of the Panjab University Students’ Council, described the move as a “brazen assault” on the soul of the university and a calculated step to marginalize the regional identity of the institution.
The MP affirmed that while accessibility upgrades for persons with disabilities are necessary, true inclusion cannot come at the cost of cultural exclusion. “Punjabi deserves equal prominence alongside Hindi and English on all signboards. This is not just a demand of linguistic pride; it is a question of respecting federal ethos and regional sensitivities,” Kang maintained in his communication.
This development comes shortly after similar concerns were raised over army schools in Punjab reportedly making Sanskrit a mandatory subject while rendering Punjabi optional. Kang asserted that the Punjabi community would not tolerate the hijacking of the university’s heritage and called for a clear policy to ensure no future infrastructure projects marginalize the regional language. He further urged the Chancellor to hold a constructive dialogue with students and alumni to restore harmony on the campus.
