ABSTRACT:
The Punjabi Suba came into being after various sacrifices and struggles. The Indian Government appointed ‘Shah Commission’ to demarcate the boundaries of Punjab and Haryana. The reorganization bill was passed on the basis of recommendations of this committee only. Punjab was divided into two states; Punjabi Suba and Haryana under Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966. Certain areas of undivided Punjab were given to Himachal Pradesh. However, Haryana was raised as a rival to the state of Punjabi language (which was to be made for Punjab). Common links had been made for Punjab and Haryana. Haryana was the area of Hindi-speakers. It could have been easily amalgamated with neighboring Hindi states of Rajasthan and U.P. But, the state of Punjab, which was demanding the areas of Punjabi –speakers, was crippled and made lame as well. Such seeds were sown for its future of economic growth that would not let it move forward. Haryana welcomed the Act of reorganization. But, it was opposed by the Akalis. Sant Fateh Singh threatened to go on `fast unto death` and resort to self-immolation as a protest against it. As a result, the common forums were removed for Haryana and Punjab and Sant Fateh Singh and the Akali Dal welcomed this decision. There was a considerable impact on the political, economic and social conditions of Punjab after the formation of Punjabi Suba. Punjab became a Sikh-majority area. If at all the Punjabi language had been implemented then its entire credit goes to the speakers of Punjabi for the first time.
Cite this article:
Sukhjit Kaur. A Minority became a Majority in the Punjab. Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2021; 12(2):86-2. doi: 10.52711/2321-5828.2021.00013
Cite(Electronic):
Sukhjit Kaur. A Minority became a Majority in the Punjab. Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2021; 12(2):86-2. doi: 10.52711/2321-5828.2021.00013 Available on: https://rjhssonline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2021-12-2-5
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