Bathinda, May 11: A controversial shift in the language policy of Army Public Schools in Punjab has drawn sharp criticism from political and cultural organizations across the state. Under a new academic directive for the 2026-27 session, Sanskrit has been made a compulsory subject for middle school students, while Punjabi has been reclassified as an optional additional subject requiring parental consent.
The policy change, communicated via school circulars earlier this month, has been termed a violation of the Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act, 2008. Critics stated that the state law mandates the teaching of Punjabi as a compulsory subject up to Class 10 in all educational institutions within Punjab. Various forums, including the Punjab Chetna Manch, have called the move “arbitrary” and an attempt to marginalize the local language.
“Punjabi is not just a language; it is the soul, culture, and identity of Punjab,” Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sawhney stated. He has formally urged Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to intervene and ensure the language maintains its compulsory status in military-run schools located within the state.
Army officials maintained that the policy is designed to standardize education for children of personnel who face frequent mid-session transfers across India. They stated that while English, Hindi, and Sanskrit form the core language curriculum, schools retain the option to teach regional languages if there is sufficient student demand.
Representatives of the Folklore Research Akademi affirmed that ignoring the mother tongue within its own region is a matter of grave concern. They declared that the decision should be reconsidered to protect the interests of students who primarily speak Punjabi.
