Dear Editor, in My private school in Delhi, ‘Hindi, was a mandatory language hill the final grade it was the same Pattern in other schools across Delhi, A handful of schools which were nun by ethnic groups e.g. Sikhs schools run by local Gurdwaras taught Punjabi and South Indian schools taught Tamil, Telgu, etc. but Hindi once again there was a compulsory language.
Hindi and Sanskrit are being pushed down the throats of all Delhiittes regardless of their ethnic Origin at the behest of pro Hindi Speaking ruling Congress government.
Punjabi radio programs were broadcasted for only 15 minutes in the morning in the 60’s and 70’s and no more than 30 minutes in the evening. Sometimes we had to tune in the Radio Pakistan to hear Punjabi programs, where the Muslim Punjabis take great pride to speak Punjabi unlike the Punjabi Hindis of Delhi and Punjab who have officially declared their mother tongue to be Hindi.
Under this government sponsored hostile environment, how does a Sikh or a Punjabi Learn to read and write Punjabi? Obviously Punjabi would decline if the fears of the government are that by promoting ethnic languages India would disintegrate.
Ironically, Punjabi is more alive outside India then it is in India, Almost all Gurdwaras in North America and England offer free Punjabi classes and many parents take active interest in teaching their children Punjabi at home. I hear more Punjabi here than 1 get to hear (other than racial slurs) when I go to India for visit!
Harbir Singh Mahwah, NJ.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 7, 1993
