Punjab government skips ‘Punjab Diwas’ celebrations

Chandigarh: Five Indian states celebrated their foundation days with enthusiasm and official ceremonies. However, the Punjab government did not mark ‘Punjab Day’ with any event, an unusual move that has sparked curiosity and criticism.

Typically, Punjab Day, also known as ‘Punjab Diwas,’ is celebrated with events organized by the Language Department, with participation from key state officials, including the Chief Minister. This year, no official event took place, nor did the Language Department host any celebration independently.

Meanwhile, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Kerala celebrated their respective foundation days with state-level functions attended by their chief ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah extended their congratulations to the states marking the occasion.

The absence of Punjab Day celebrations has drawn attention to the ongoing struggles faced by the Language Department, which has been dealing with financial challenges for several years.

The incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which has emphasized its commitment to promoting language and culture, recently appointed Jaswant Zafar, a well-known literary figure, as the director of the Language Department, a role previously held by government officials.