NEW DELHI: Allegations of Punjabi being removed from CBSE’s Class 10 regional language list sparked outrage in Punjab, with politicians accusing the BJP government.
However, Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday clarified on social media that there had been no change in the subjects offered by CBSE.
CBSE has already clarified… there’s no change in subjects offered and the list on website is indicative. Punjabi language exam will be included and all current subjects will continue in the two-board exam system.
Yet, @AAPPunjab leaders are creating unnecessary confusion! Stop… pic.twitter.com/nf8YhX0Lvj
— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) February 27, 2025
He wrote on X, “CBSE has already clarified… there’s no change in subjects offered and the list on the website is indicative. Punjabi language exam will be included and all current subjects will continue in the two-board exam system. Yet, @AAPPunjab leaders are creating unnecessary confusion! Stop misleading students for petty politics.”
The confusion arose after CBSE released a draft policy for the conduct of two board exams for Class 10, which mentioned an indicative list of languages.
Addendum number-1 to the Draft Policy for two Board examinations pic.twitter.com/wCEqJTBvpx
— CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) February 26, 2025
Nonetheless, CBSE later issued a notification clarifying that all the languages currently offered, including Punjabi, would continue to be available for the 2025-2026 academic session. The notification confirmed that Punjabi would remain under the “Regional and Foreign Languages group.”
In the midst of the uproar, Punjab’s Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, a member of AAP, accused the BJP of intentionally trying to remove Punjabi from the education system.
He said, “We strongly object to CBSE’s new exam pattern scheme, which attempts to erase Punjabi! Punjabi must be designated as the main language in Punjab and further be included as a regional language in CBSE for the rest of the nation, as it is spoken and read across multiple states. Any attack on Punjabi will not be tolerated!”
Bains emphasized the importance of mother tongue education for a child’s development, citing research supporting this argument.
He added, “It has been proven time and again through several child psychology studies that a child must get his primary education in his/her mother tongue. The mother tongue plays the most crucial role in the overall development of the child…”
Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa also voiced his support, asserting that Punjabi is essential for students in Punjab, emphasizing that the language is part of the region’s culture and heritage.
He posted, “PUNJABI Language is must for every student studying in PUNJAB no matter what the board is. Its our Pride and mother. We respect all languages but the Punjabi language is our culture and roots. My whole existence is because of my Language and the songs in Punjabi. Forever Proud Villager, Proud Punjabi , Proud Indian.”
PUNJABI Language is must for every student studying in PUNJAB no matter what the board is.
Its our Pride and mother ❤️
We respect all languages but Punjabi language is our culture and roots.
My whole existence is because of my Language and the songs in Punjabi 🙏
Forever Proud…— Guru Randhawa (@GuruOfficial) February 26, 2025
Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former deputy chief minister of Punjab, also condemned the move, saying it was an attack on the state’s identity and culture.
He criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his silence on the issue and urged him to follow the example of Telangana, where Telugu has been made mandatory in schools, including CBSE-affiliated institutions.
He wrote, “Strongly condemn CBSE’s decision to drop Punjabi from regional languages in the 2025-26 curriculum. Punjabi is our mother tongue, spoken and read across various states and countries worldwide… This attack on our mother tongue will not be tolerated, and Akali Dal will strongly oppose this move.”
Badal added, “Let me remind you @BhagwantMann, your silence on this blatant attack is being seen as complicity. Take a cue from the Telangana government which has made Telugu mandatory in all schools, including CBSE affiliated ones. When will you stand up for Punjab’s rights, Mr Puppet CM?”
In response to the controversy, former Punjab education minister Pargat Singh blamed the National Education Policy (NEP) and the RSS for trying to undermine the state’s rights and education system. He wrote, “This is a major attack on Punjab and our mother tongue.
We are against the RSS mentality that aims to weaken the rights of the states and their education systems. Unfortunately.. the @BhagwantMann government remained silent on this issue in the Assembly. It is clear that both BJP and AAP are together attacking Punjab in this manner..”
