A controversial circular from Pakistan’s Beaconhouse School System owned by former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has been doing the rounds of social media lately as it demanding a ban on speaking Punjabi on campus, calling it as ‘foul language’.
The school, situated in Pakistan’s Sahiwal, sent out a circular to parents informing about the disciplinary policy of the school. One of the instructions was about banning Punjabi language both in school and at home.
‘Foul language’
“Foul language is not allowed within and outside the school premises, in the morning, during the school hours, and after home time,” the fifth point of the notification reads.
Also the notice explains the definition of ‘foul language’ as: “Foul language includes taunts, abuses, Punjabi and the hate speech”.
A number of parents, prominent Punjabi language activists and literary organisations have demanded the school administration to immediately withdraw the notification and tender apology to those having Punjabi their mother language.
Also the circular was heavily criticised by both Indians and Pakistanis on Twitter, along with Punjabi activists. Criticism was also heaped on the school by its own alumni. After all, Punjabi is one of the most common languages spoken here.
Today I am ashmed of giving a service of decade to Beaconhouse School System. #ActagainstBeaconhouse
— Zarqa Paul (@PXarqa) October 13, 2016
Beaconhouse has insulted the “Sufi Saints of Punjab” and Punjabi Nation.
Punjabi nation is the 9th biggest… https://t.co/gwHK1ZcBBJ
— Shahbaz Arain (@PunjabiThinker) October 16, 2016
To call the language of a people foul, is of the steps towards dehumanising that people and demonising them…… https://t.co/DpC923zE8p
— Sue Moffat (@Sue4AudleyWard) October 15, 2016
Foul language ..:| shame on #Beaconhouse school system ..!
— Midas’Touch (@Guloona_Khattak) October 13, 2016
After the circular stoked a controversy, the school came up with a clarification on its official Facebook profile.
The school clarified that the ban was not on Punjabi, but the profanity and cursing in Punjabi, as done by some of the students.
“We are NOT going to disown the circular that has been shared on social media, but we need to STRONGLY clarify (which anyone who reads English can easily understand from context) that our School Head in Sahiwal was referring to a ban on profanity and cursing in Punjabi, which was apparently an issue with a few older students at his school,” the clarification read.