CHANDIGARH: Despite its rich cultural heritage, Punjabi language study has never been a compulsory subject in Chandigarh, a fact that has stirred debate among its Punjabi-speaking populace.
As Chandigarh serves as the Union Territory and the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, several central government CBSE schools do not mandate Punjabi as a compulsory subject for students up to class 10. This omission has raised concerns among parents, as it limits their children’s eligibility for government jobs in Punjab, despite their bona fide status as residents of the state.
Addressing this issue, BJP Candidate for Lok Sabha, Sanjay Tandon, endeavored to strike a chord with the Punjabi community by pledging to make Punjabi the number one language in Chandigarh. In a closely contested electoral battle, Tandon finds himself up against seasoned politician and incumbent MP Manish Tiwari from the Congress party.
Speaking at a gathering of BJP workers at the city party office on Thursday under the chairmanship of State President Jitender Pal Malhotra, Tandon emphasized the need to address this linguistic disparity. He promised a golden period for Chandigarh, urging residents for their full cooperation and support.
Tandon expressed confidence in BJP’s prospects, citing surveys predicting a sweeping victory for the party with projections of winning at least 370 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He highlighted the symbolic significance of this number, corresponding to the Article 370 repealed by the Modi government.
Tandon lauded the Modi government’s achievements, including the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, which has facilitated the hoisting of the tricolour at prominent locations like Lal Chowk in Srinagar. He credited the government for fostering progress in education, health, security, and tourism.
State President Jitender Pal Malhotra highlighted the transformative initiatives undertaken by the Modi government, such as the construction of Chandigarh railway station at a cost of Rs 500 crore, touted to be the largest railway station in Asia.
He rallied party workers behind Sanjay Tandon, urging them to secure a victory by over 60 percent votes in Chandigarh.
The event was attended by BJP State General Secretary Hukam Chand, Amit Jindal, and other party leaders, along with a large contingent of BJP workers. The gathering resonated with the party’s vision of a stronger India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with aspirations of crossing the 400-seat mark in the upcoming elections.