Editorial

Date:3-11-05

Source: The Dawn

IT Is a pity that the language controversy in Sindh, which was believed to have been laid to rest 33 years ago with the adoption of the Official Language Bill of 1972 by the Sindh Assembly, has reared its head once again. The language crisis, which had led to widespread agitation and loss of life in the province in 1972, had been resolved in a spirit of goodwill between the Sindhi speakers and the migrants, most of whom speak Urdu. This spirit was reflected in the 1972 act under which Sindhi, which was recognized as the official language of Sindh, and Urdu were to be taught as compulsory subjects in classes IV-XII. This was to be done progressively over the years. Sindhi was introduced up to the matriculation level in the seventies. Although Urdu has emerged as a link language in the country and most people speak it quite fluently, this would hardly justify the neglect of any regional language in its home province.

Sindh is a special case in view of the bilingual and multiethnic composition of its population. To promote cohesion among the Sindhi and Urdu speakers, it was logical to give equal weight to the two languages. That is how ‘salees’ (easy) Sindhi was made compulsory for Urdu speakers and vice versa. The system worked quite well over the years, though Sindhi was not introduced in college (Class XI) as it should have been under the 1972 law. Probably this was overlooked, because that was also the period when colleges were nationalized and a period of instability began in the education sector.

When the government recently decided to rectify this lapse and introduce Sindhi salees for Urdu speakers in Class XI, there was a strong reaction from several quarters. Those resisting the introduction of Sindhi in college have done so for several reasons. There are, of course, the chauvinists who erroneously feel they don’t have to learn Sindhi. There are others who are disturbed by the administrative aspect of the matter. The notification was issued after classes had started in colleges in August. A substantial number of Sindhi language teachers have to be recruited and textbooks provided. After a flurry of notifications introducing the subject, then withdrawing it and then ambiguously providing a choice between Urdu and Sindhi salees, the Sindh chief minister made it clear that the matter had been finally settled and that Sindhi would be taught to Urdu speakers in Class XI. A notification to that effect has yet to be issued. Language can be an emotive issue and is easily politicized as we have already learnt the hard way in the case of Bengali in East Pakistan.For people living in an area it makes sense for them to learn the language of the indigenous population. Why shouldn’t everyone learn Sindhi in Sindh? The intermingling of languages and cultures enriches society and it should be encouraged. The only problem is our failure to consider the practical steps needed, such as recruiting well-trained teachers who can make the students proficient in a particular language — be it Urdu or Sindhi. The second problem is that the authorities have the propensity to take vital decisions at the eleventh hour. They then try to implement them without proper planning and preparation. This opens the wisest of moves to exploitation by vested interests