All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Thursday staged protest against the government for failing to declare Punjabi as compulsory subject in schools.Scores of APSCC members assembled at Sanatnagar Gurudwara and marched towards the main road to press the government over their demands.The Sikh raised anti-government slogans and were demanding government to fulfil their demands.Talking to KNS, APSCC chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina said that the government decision is based on ‘vote bank politics’ and is ‘a humiliating attack’ on the Punjabi language.“Implementation of Government order No 333-edu of 2017 is totally based on vote bank politics and is a humiliating attack on the Punjabi language. Punjabi has been one of the oldest languages in the State, but now unfortunately has been withdrawn and eliminated from schools under the new circular of education department,” he told KNS.“The present State Government has divided the State on the basis of Language and most of the Punjabi Speaking population in J&K will be deprived of any further education in their mother tongue Punjabi. It’s highly unfortunate that such a barmy ordered has been issued by the state government,” Raina said.
“We strongly urge the state government to withdraw this circular issued by the education department at the earliest, otherwise be ready to face it’s heat of the repercussions at all places in State where there is any Punjabi speaking population,” the Sikh leader said.Raina Said that according to the new Circular No 333 – edu of 2017 issued by the state government, the teaching of Punjabi Language has been totally withdrawn from all schools of J&K and other languages have been made mandatory instead.“This is a communal action on the behalf of the government and infringes on the rights of Punjabi speaking people of state. Although the Punjabi language is one of the native languages and constitutionally approved as recognized language under the section 146 of J&K constitution. In this connection a close coordination has been established with all the districts of the state including Poonch, Baramulla, Kathua, Rajouri,Pulwama and other places,” he said.“More than 200 Punjabi teaching posts lie vacant in J&K but state government is least worried about any implementation or any promotion of the Punjabi language,” he said.Meanwhile, the protesters later dispersed peacefully. (KNS)