Decision taken after BJP’s strong opposition
Team Clarion
KISHANGANJ – The directive issued by the District Education Office in Bihar’s Kishanganj requiring private schools registered with the CBSE to offer Urdu as a subject, has been withdrawn under immense political opposition particularly from BJP.
On December 30, 2024, Nasir Hussain, the DEO, issued an order mandating the inclusion of Urdu language classes in all private schools in the district which created a uproar among communal forces in the state.
Kishanganj, a Muslim-majority district in Bihar, has long had debates surrounding the inclusion of Urdu in the local education system. The issue gained traction after local political leaders raised concerns about the absence of Urdu classes in private schools, despite the district’s demographic composition. Congress MLA Izharul Hussain and Lok Sabha member Dr. Javed Azad took the issue to the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (Disha), resulting in the DEO’s December 30 order.
The directive instructed all CBSE-recognised private schools in Kishanganj to implement Urdu as part of their curriculum. According to the DEO’s communication, this move was intended to align with the linguistic and cultural needs of the Muslim-majority area.
However, the order sparked fierce opposition from the district BJP, along with other Hindu organisations, including Bajrang Dal. The opponents branded the decision as “Islamisation of education” and demanded that it be revoked, accusing the government of pandering to the Muslim community at the expense of others.
The BJP’s district leadership quickly rallied against the order, calling for its immediate withdrawal. They framed the inclusion of Urdu in the curriculum as an effort to promote religious exclusivity rather than educational inclusion. Despite support from local Congress representatives, the political pressure from communal groups led to a reversal of the decision within a mere three days.
In an interview, Congress MLA Izharul Hussain justified the demand, stating, “There is a clear public demand for Urdu to be taught in our schools. This district is predominantly Muslim, and the inclusion of Urdu in the curriculum is necessary to cater to the cultural and educational needs of our children.”
The DEO’s swift retraction of the order is seen as a victory for the BJP and its allies. Local political observers suggest that the decision to backtrack may reflect the increasing political influence of communal forces in the region. While the DEO originally framed the order as a means of ensuring minority representation in education, the political backlash has forced a reconsideration.
This controversy has highlighted the growing influence of communal sentiments on educational policies, with some critics accusing the ruling BJP of using education as a tool for furthering its political agenda. Supporters of the DEO’s original decision, on the other hand, argue that it was a necessary step toward preserving linguistic diversity and promoting inclusivity in education, particularly in regions with significant Muslim populations.
The episode underscores the ongoing tension in Bihar’s Seemanchal region, where educational policies often become a flashpoint for larger political and communal debates. While the issue of Urdu language education may seem straightforward to many, it has become mired in the state’s complex political dynamics. For now, the question remains whether efforts to promote Urdu in schools will continue to be stymied by political pressure or whether more inclusive educational reforms can take root in the future.
The Kishanganj Urdu controversy serves as a reminder of how educational policy, especially in linguistically diverse areas, can become a battleground for communal and political conflicts. While the DEO’s order was a step toward minority welfare, its withdrawal highlights the challenges faced by leaders attempting to implement inclusive educational reforms in the face of opposition and political pressure.
