Scholars and community leaders call for urgent action to restore the institution’s legacy
Team Clarion
HYDERABAD – Osmania University, established in 1918 as a beacon for Urdu education, is facing intense criticism for neglecting the very language it was founded to champion. The failure to fill PhD seats in the Urdu department, even after a second entrance test, has left students and advocates questioning the administration’s commitment to preserving the institution’s cultural and academic heritage.
Urdu scholars and community leaders have expressed frustration over the university’s inability to address the issue. Dr Anwar Ahmed, a retired professor of Urdu literature, said: “Osmania University has the option to hire external experts to fill these seats, yet the administration has shown a lack of seriousness. This neglect is deeply troubling, especially for an institution that was established to uphold and promote Urdu.”
Muslim leaders and Urdu enthusiasts have raised alarms over the situation, calling it a disservice to the university’s legacy. Majeedullah Khan Farhat, president of an Urdu advocacy group, described it as “a disgrace to the legacy of Osmania University.” He added: “Osmania University was once the pride of the Urdu-speaking community worldwide. Today, it seems that both the administration and the state government have abandoned their duty to preserve this cultural heritage.”
Similarly, Shabana Parveen, a PhD scholar in Urdu, expressed her disappointment. “As a student, it feels disheartening that we are being denied the opportunity to pursue research in our language. The administration’s excuses are unacceptable,” she said.
Political figures have joined the call for urgent intervention. Mohammed Saleem, Chairman of the Telangana State Urdu Academy, urged the state government to prioritise the issue. “The chief minister should personally intervene to address this crisis,” he said. “We cannot let the language that represents the soul of this university fade into obscurity.”
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi highlighted the broader cultural impact of the neglect. “This is not just about Osmania University; it’s about the future of Urdu in our educational and cultural institutions. Steps must be taken to ensure that Urdu regains its rightful place,” he stated.
Osmania University’s legacy is rooted in its establishment as the country’s first institution to offer higher education in a vernacular language. Founded by the Nizam of Hyderabad, it introduced Urdu as a medium of instruction for professional courses such as medicine and engineering.
Historian Dr Mohammad Safiullah noted the university’s unique role in blending ancient and modern studies.
“The Nizam wanted to balance arts and sciences while promoting Urdu. Osmania University redefined academics in India,” he said. Dr Safiullah added that the university’s centenary celebrations should highlight its unparalleled contributions to education and architecture.
Advocates believe immediate reforms are necessary to restore Osmania University’s standing. Zafar Ali Khan, an activist for Urdu education, suggested concrete measures: “The university must hire external professors, fill vacant PhD seats, and ensure Urdu’s inclusion in future entrance tests. This will revive the institution’s prestige and preserve Urdu’s historical and academic importance.”
As stakeholders continue to voice their concerns, the call for action grows louder. The university’s fate, along with the future of Urdu in India, hangs in the balance, demanding decisive intervention to honour its legacy and uphold its founding principles.
