RSS-backed forum says will promote Punjabi language

JALANDHAR: A recently constituted Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)- backed outfit — Punjabi Bhasha Manch — has announced to work for the promotion of Punjabi language, so as to make it the administrative language of Punjab. It has also vowed to work at the ground level, including in schools, so that people do not have a sense of inferiority about their own language.
The Manch announced that apart from promoting Punjabi in Punjab, it would also work for its promotion in other states.“We shall meet the Punjab governor to impress upon him that all legislations should be passed and made available in Punjabi. Article 348 (2) of the Constitution provides that the governor, with the President’s consent, can introduce use of local language in high court. We shall take up this issue also with the governor, so that all judgements of the Punjab and Haryana high court and other courts are also available in Punjabi,” Manch convener Jawahar Lal Sivia told the media at Vidya Dham here.
“Apart from getting it implemented at the administrative level, we shall also reach out to private schools to ask them to stop discouraging children from conversing in Punjabi. This not only creates inferiority complex among children about their mother tongue, but also reduces their creative expression. We shall also create awareness among people that they should feel proud about their mother tongue,” said Sivia, who was accompanied by the office-bearers of the Manch.
Sharma said that they would campaign among the people that they should have their name plates in Punjabi, should sign in Punjabi and should also write the name of country “Bharat” in Punjabi rather than India.