PATIALA: Urdu poet Sardar Panchi and Hindi writer Hukam Chand Rajpal--who both had allegedly passed objectionable comments against the Punjabi language during the Hindi Diwas at Bhasha Vibhag at Patiala in Punjab on September 13--on Tuesday apologised to the Punjabi writers and language lovers for "hurting their sentiments".

The apology letter of Sardar Panchi remained floating over the social media sites, including WhatsApp for the entire day. In the evening, the apology letter of Hukam Chand Rajpal also went viral. Both of them confirmed the apology.

In an open letter, Sardar Panchi, said, he was sorry if the sentiments of the public--especially Punjabi language-lovers and the Punjabi writers--were hurt. His letter added, “Before turning towards the Urdu and Hindi literature, I was highly influenced by the power, potential, communication and sincerity of the Punjabi language. I remember my journey from birthplace Tikhi Virkan (Pakistan) to here till date and I will always be grateful to the Punjabi writers, organisations and institutions for giving me the recognition.”

On September 13, Panchi allegedly termed Punjabi as a language of brawl and abuses which created a controversy during the Hindi Diwas event at Bhasha Vibhag. Punjabi Kendri Lekhak Sabha president Dr Tejwant Singh Mann raised objection on the dais, but he was forcibly put off the stage. Later, he sought an apology from the Urdu poet and the director of Bhasha Vibhag as well. On Monday, the Akal Takht Jathedar also took notice of this issue and condemned the insult of Punjabi language.

Rajpal--who allegedly had intervened during the controversy and threatened Tejwant Singh Mann by maintaining "wait for two years" and they would tell "what Hindi is"--said, “I can’t even think of insulting the Punjabi language even in my dreams. I apologise for my comments that have hurt the sentiments of lovers of Punjabi language. I am a writer and do not want to land in any controversy and kindly avoid dragging academicians like me into the politics.”

On Tuesday evening, hundreds of students of Punjabi University held a protest against the remarks made by the Urdu poet and Hindi writer while some university professors also participated in the protest that took place outside the university library.

