Punjab introduces English
From A.S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

CHUHAR CHAK (Moga), Aug 25 — The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today formally launched the government scheme for the introduction of English language as a subject in government primary schools in the state. The Chief Minister distributed English primers to a large number of primary schoolchildren who had gathered at the function amid cries of "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal".

It was officially announced on the occasion that with the launching of the scheme by the Chief Minister English would now be taught as a subject to four and half lakh primary students in the nearly 13,000 schools in the state. Interestingly, the official function, which also marked the 49th vanamahotsava in the state, was held in the native village of the late Chief Minister of Punjab, Lachhman Singh Gill, who was responsible for the introduction of Punjabi as the sole of official language of the state.

The function was attended among others by the Union Minister of State for Industries, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, the state Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, the Forest Minister, Mr Mohan Lal, the Agriculture Minister, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, the Minister of State for Forests, Mr Swarna Ram, and Akali MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder besides a host of district officials, including the Deputy Commissioner. All of them supported the government decision to introduce English as a subject at the primary level which had attracted considerable flak from several sections.

The Chief Minister himself led the defence of the government move while seeking to allay the fears of the critics that the introduction of English as a subject would mean the end of the supremacy of Punjabi language in the state. Mr Badal said the critics' apprehensions that English would replace Punjabi even in official work were misplaced. Punjabi would continue to be the official language of the state. English was being introduced at the primary level to prepare the children to face a competitive world.

Mr Badal described English as an "international language" and said it was no longer possible to compete in the world without knowledge of the English language.

The Chief Minister said the world was becoming smaller. With faster and reliable means of communication anything happening in any part of the globe became known in a little time. Since the international language of communication was English, there was no reason why Punjab should keep itself out of this revolution. He congratulated Mr Tota Singh for his "correct decision" to introduce English at the primary school level.

Mr Badal said one must change with time. The Congress which had ruled the country for 50 years had failed to change its policies with time and the results were there for all to see. The country was now among the poorest in the world despite the fact that both India and Japan entered the modern era about the same time in the late 40s.

The Chief Minister also dwelt at length on the importance of vanamahotsava. Systematic deforestation and destruction of the tree cover would lead to a big ecological disaster. In this connection, he announced a few schemes to encourage farmers to grow more trees. He declared that farmers would have a 50 per cent share in all trees grown along the roads. He announced institution of prizes of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 to panchayats and school growing the maximum number of trees.

Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said the knowledge of English was most essential if one wanted to survive in the modern world. It had brought the world closer and was understood in every part of the world. He was sure it would open up more employment avenues for the Punjabi youth not only in India but also throughout the world.

He said during his stint at the Centre he was doing his best to promote industrialisation of Punjab which had remained neglected during the Congress rule in the state and at the Centre. A sprawling refinery, urea plant, power plants and an HMT tractors factory were among the projects approved for the state.

Mr Tota Singh said the opposition to the introduction of English at the primary level was wrong and misplaced. As a matter of fact, many of those who were opposing the move had their own wards studying in public schools. It was his experience that the rural youth, who wanted technical training in engineering and medical colleges, felt greatly handicapped in the absence of knowledge of English language. This forced the government to start special English classes for them. The introduction of English at the primary level would remove that shortcoming.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Mr Mohan Lal, Mr Swarna Ram and Mr Bhunder.

Sikh clergy's meetings: two Jathedars'
entry banned
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 25 — Differences among three jathedars have reached a point of no return as the Akal Takht Chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh, has categorically announced that he will not allow Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib and Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, to participate in the meetings of Sikh clergy till Prof Manjit Singh submits details of accounts of the World Sikh Council.

Addressing a hurriedly called press conference at his residence here this evening, Bhai Ranjit Singh levelled serious charges against Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh said that Prof Manjit Singh had no "moral right" to stay in office as he was embroiled in many controversies. He alleged that the funds of the World Sikh Council had been misappropriated.

Bhai Ranjit Singh advised Prof Manjit Singh that if the latter had belief in "panch pardhani", he should appear before the five high priests, including head granthis of the Golden Temple, Akal Takht and three granthis of the temple to present his case. "I will abide by their verdict", he said.

Responding to a question, he said Prof Manjit Singh could be summoned to Akal Takht for defying any "maryada". He himself could be summoned by the "panch pardhans" and in such a case he would appear as a humble Sikh.

In a letter to Prof Manjit Singh, which was released to the press, Bhai Ranjit Singh stated that being patron of the World Sikh Council, it was his moral duty to seek details of accounts of the council which was the property of the Panth. He accused Prof Manjit Singh of having passed the buck to Mr Jaswant Singh Mann who was appointed by the Professor himself. Moreover, Mr Mann, a former senior officer of the Punjab and Sind Bank and Bank of Punjab, was already facing serious charges of corruption, he alleged.

Bhai Ranjit Singh alleged that Prof Manjit Singh had more faith in the "worldly court" than Akal Takht as at his instance he and Justice Kuldip Singh were dragged to the court for "capturing" the World Sikh Council.

Pointing out that Mann had details of funds collected from within country, Bhai Ranjit Singh asked Prof Manjit Singh as to who would submit details of hefty funds collected from other countries.

In another letter addressed to Giani Kewal Singh, Bhai Ranjit Singh accused him of being in league with Prof Manjit Singh in the alleged misappropriation of funds of the Gurmat Sagar Trust. "For this very reason, they do not want to see me as Jathedar of Akal Takht."

The Akal Takht chief alleged that the principle of "panch pardhani" was not adopted by Prof Manjit Singh when he was acting Jathedar of Akal Takht in deciding some important cases, including blasphemous acts by Dr Piar Singh and Dr Pashaura Singh, both Sikh scholars, Mahant Manjit Singh Jammu, summoning of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and denigration of Guru Granth Sahib and 'Gurbani' by Bhai Chattar Singh Jiwan Singh, publishers.

Bhai Ranjit Singh alleged that by boycotting the meeting of the Sikh clergy, Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh had tried to denigrate the institution of Akal Takht.

Responding to a question, he denied having used rude language for his colleagues and said his differences with the two were based on principles. He was fighting to protect Sikh traditions. he added.

Answering another question, he said the SGPC and the Sikh Sangat could intervene to resolve their differences. The solution also lies in the institution of "panch pardhani".

Bhai Ranjit Singh, in response to the letter of Giani Kewal Singh said in the history of Akal Takht all Jathedars were never present while issuing hukamnamas in the past. To yet another question, he said that Akal Takht Jathedar was competent to issue hukamnamas along with the nominees appointed by him.

Jathedars urged to resign
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Aug 25 — The Panthic Council has demanded the resignation of the five "Singh sahibs", including the Jathedar of Akal Takht .This demand has been made in the light of the ongoing war of letters and trading of statements in the print media by the Jathedar of Akal Takht and the Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Bharpur Singh Balbir, a spokesperson of the council, along with other members of the newly formed council, alleged that the Jathedar of Akal Takht, was not aware about Sikh maryada and traditions.

Mr Bharpur Singh alleged that the Jathedar acted like a constitution of the World Sikh Council. He said he did not agree with the view that the Jathedar was above law of the land.

But other members notably Mr Shamsher Singh Maloya, who was also present, contested this statement and said while the institution of Akal Takht was a sovereign entity the Jathedar was not. He is an appointee of the SGPC. The council members urged the SGPC chief, Mr G.S. Tohra, to ask the Singh Sahibs involved in the controversy to submit their resignations to set the Sikh religious affairs in order.

They also alleged that the hukumnamas issued recently were not valid as they were not unanimous decisions of the Sikh clergy.