Rasoolpuri Saien, Thanks for taking up the issue of notification of Punjabi compulsory in schools. I was in Multan last week, where in a meeting called by Dharija Sahib and Fareed Pirzada at Jhok the unconfirmed news of such notification was discussed with interest. The general mood was of strong opposition to the ‘Punjabi’ language aggression against the Siraiki children. Some friends, however, reacted with somberness. They appreciated the ‘Punjabis’ for their love for their mother tongue and reminded them of the same status for Siraiki in Siraiki area. I took a bit difficult position as usual. How is it possible for any sane establishment to bluntly issue such a notification and expect its compliance in Siraiki Wasaib? After all Siraiki region Universities have already established Siraiki Departments at par with the Punjabi Department in PU. Either the move is, if this country has suddenly turned lucky, a genuine step towards adjustment with the increasing public pressure for education in mother tongues. Or, it is a conspiracy to use the tested trick of creating a situation of language controversy to sustain the Urdu states co and tell the simple, ‘see languages are nothing but a Pandora Box, just don’t touch it. But the promoters of linguistic multiplicity should behave different from the days of language riots in 1970s. For instance, when we demand equal status for Siraiki at par with Sindhi, we do never mean ‘stop education in Sindhi’. Similarly, if Punjabis decide to notify Punjabi language as compulsory in schools, we should support the move for that a big block, the Punjabi insensitivity, is removed from our way.. If Punjabis change their mind in favor of their language we have won; no one will be able to stop Siraiki language for long. But it seems many among us are too innocent to understand the matter. Wagha rasoolpuri wrote: According to Punjab Government notification Punjabi is compulsary subject from primary schools to High schools in all Punjab .It is also necessary for all Siraiki students .How you take it . ls |