The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) strongly expresses its concern and disappointment over the blatant disregard for the Punjab Official Language Act, 1967 by elected representatives themselves in Punjab.
While government employees and ordinary citizens are being directed to strictly use Punjabi in official work, it has been widely observed that several MLAs, while speaking in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, continue to address the House in English. This reflects a clear double standard and undermines both the law and the dignity of the Punjabi language.
NAPA asks a simple and direct question: if lawmakers themselves violate the law, who will enforce it and on whom?
The Punjabi language is not just a medium of communication—it is the cultural backbone and identity of Punjab. The Punjab Official Language Act was enacted to preserve and promote this identity, not to be reduced to a mere formality or selectively enforced rule.
Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of NAPA, stated that this situation exposes a lack of seriousness and commitment on the part of the leadership. “It is unfortunate that those who are entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the law are themselves setting the wrong example. This weakens public trust and sends a message that laws are only for the common people, not for those in power,” he said.
NAPA urges the Punjab Government and the Speaker of the Assembly to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure that Punjabi is made mandatory in Assembly proceedings. Clear rules must be enforced, and accountability must be fixed without exception.
If penalties and strict action can be proposed for employees who fail to use Punjabi, then similar standards must apply to MLAs. No one should be above the law.
NAPA stands firmly for the protection, promotion, and rightful implementation of the Punjabi language in its own land. The association calls upon all political parties, civil society organizations, and the people of Punjab to raise their voice on this issue.
“Respect for Punjabi must begin from the top. Anything less is hypocrisy.”