Punjab Chief Minister Condemns CBSE Decision To Exclude Punjabi From Main Subject, Board Replies

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said that this is an authoritarian decision and is against the federal spirit of the Constitution.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday condemned the decision of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to exclude Punjabi from the major subjects. He said that this is an authoritarian decision and is against the federal spirit of the Constitution.

"I firmly oppose the CBSE's authoritarian decision to keep Punjabi out of the main subjects. This is against the federal spirit of the Constitution, violating the right of Punjabi youth to learn their native language. I condemn this biased exclusion of Punjabi,” Punjab Chief Minister tweeted on Friday.

I firmly oppose the CBSE's authoritarian decision to keep Punjabi out of the main subjects. This is against the federal spirit of Constitution, violating the right of Punjabi youth to learn their native language. I condemn this biased exclusion of Punjabi.

— Charanjit S Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) October 21, 2021

With Punjab CM, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, National Spokesman of Akali Dal also refuted the CBSE decision to keep the Punjabi language out of the major subjects. He on his official Twitter handle writes, "We condemn CBSE’s refusal to keep Punjabi language as a major subject in class X & XII exams in Chd & Punjab. A clear reflection of the plan to keep youth away from their roots. Every state has a right to strengthen its native culture & language & @cbseindia29 cannot take away this right."

We condemn CBSE’s refusal to keep Punjabi language as major subject in class X & XII exams in Chd & Punjab
Clear reflection of plan to keep youth away from their roots. Every state has a right to strengthen its native culture & language & @cbseindia29 cannot take away this right pic.twitter.com/PSBhHD6Htz

— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) October 21, 2021

In response to Punjab CM comments, the CBSE board said, "It is clarified that the classification of subjects has been done purely on the administrative ground for the purpose of the conduct of Term – I Examinations based on the number of candidates appearing in the subject and in no way reflects the importance of subjects as Major or Minor.  Every subject is equally important from an academic point of view. Punjabi is one of the regional languages being offered. All the regional languages have been put under the minor category for the purpose of administrative convenience in relation to the logistics required for the conduct of examinations."