Chandigarh, 6 Aug — The Central Punjabi Writers’ Association (Regd) has sharply criticized the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for removing the Punjabi language from newly issued and revised Aadhaar cards, calling the move a direct assault on Punjab’s linguistic and cultural identity.
In a joint statement, Association President Darshan Buttar, Senior Vice President Makhan Singh Kuhar, General Secretary Sushil Dosanjh, and Office Secretary Deep Devinder Singh said the exclusion of Punjabi is a “conspiracy to alienate the mother tongue of a state that was formed on the basis of this very language.”
They raised concern that while earlier Aadhaar cards included key identity details — such as name, parental information, birth date, gender, address, and the slogan “Mera Aadhaar, Meri Pehchan” — in Punjabi, the new versions include only Hindi and English. “Even less educated people could easily understand their identity when it was in Punjabi,” the statement said. “Now, that connection is being severed.”
The association said the move is not only regressive but also contradicts the Punjab government’s own language policy, which prioritizes the use of Punjabi on signage for government, non-government, and private institutions across the state. “Removing Punjabi from Aadhaar, the primary identity document of Indian citizens, goes against this legislative intent,” they said.
The writers also raised concerns over the Punjab government’s silence. “The lack of response from the state government is both disappointing and questionable,” the association stated.
Demanding immediate reversal of the decision, the association urged UIDAI and the concerned central authorities to restore Punjabi to its rightful place on Aadhaar cards. “We appeal to the government of Punjab to rise to its responsibility and take up this matter with the Centre,” the statement added. “Concrete steps must be taken to preserve the dignity of the Punjabi language and protect the cultural identity of Punjab.”
