New Delhi: A major controversy has erupted in Punjab after Army Public Schools in the state reportedly decided to make Sanskrit a compulsory subject while treating Punjabi as an optional language from the 2026-27 academic session.
According to messages sent to parents, Sanskrit will become mandatory, while students wishing to study Punjabi will have to submit consent letters from their parents.
The decision has triggered strong criticism from political leaders, writers and cultural organisations, who claim it violates the Punjab Language Act, 2008, under which Punjabi is compulsory up to Class 10 in all schools across the state.
Army officials defend policy citing frequent transfers
Army officials have defended the move, arguing that soldiers are frequently transferred across the country and therefore standardised language education in English, Hindi and Sanskrit from Classes 6 to 8 is necessary.
Officials added that schools may offer Punjabi as a fourth regional language if a sufficient number of students opt for it.
Army Public Schools are operated by the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) and are affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Critics call decision arbitrary and against NEP 2020
Punjab Chetna Manch and several writers’ organisations described the decision as “arbitrary” and said it goes against the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises education in the mother tongue.
Vikramjit Singh Sahney has urged Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to intervene and ensure Punjabi continues as a compulsory subject in schools located in Punjab.
Concerns raised over neglect of Punjabi language
The Folklore Research Academy and several political parties have also opposed the move, stating that sidelining Punjabi language education in Punjab itself is a matter of serious concern.
Experts argue that weakening Punjabi in schools could negatively affect cultural identity and language preservation in the state.
