The move fuels accusations of cultural and religious discrimination
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Eight Urdu medium schools in Ajmer have recently been converted into Hindi medium schools, causing widespread anger within the local Muslim community. The decision has sparked accusations of intentional cultural and religious discrimination against Muslims, particularly as many of the affected schools have served the community for decades.
On January 17, the Director of the Secondary Education Department in Bikaner issued an official order to convert several Urdu medium schools in Ajmer into Hindi medium institutions. Among those affected are the Government Primary Urdu School Badbaav and the Government Girls High Primary Urdu School, both of which have been operational since 1941.
Local parents and residents of Ajmer have expressed their strong displeasure over the decision, claiming that the move undermines the educational rights of Muslim children. “This is an attack on our culture and language,” said one concerned parent, speaking on behalf of a group present at a local sit-in protest. “Urdu is an important part of our heritage, and this move is a direct threat to it.”
The schools in question are located in predominantly Muslim areas, and their conversion to Hindi medium is seen by many as a deliberate attempt to erase Urdu from the local educational landscape. According to the parents, the switch will significantly limit educational opportunities for Muslim students, especially those who are more comfortable with Urdu as a medium of instruction.
Distraught residents have submitted a memorandum to the District Collector of Ajmer and to Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, urging them to reconsider the decision. “We have asked for an immediate reversal of this decision,” said Mohammad Raza, a local community leader. “The government is depriving our children of their right to learn in their mother tongue, and we will oppose it tooth and nail.”
The controversy has taken on a political dimension, with many accusing the state’s Education Minister, Madan Dilawar, of being behind the move. According to the community’s representatives, Dilawar’s actions are perceived as a direct attack on the educational rights of Muslims. “This is not just a matter of language; it is an effort to strip our children of their identity,” said Shahnaz Begum, a mother of three school-going children. “We believe that the education minister has no regard for the cultural diversity of our state, and this will have long-lasting effects.”
Many locals argue that instead of abolishing Urdu education altogether, the government should have allowed it to remain as an optional subject, ensuring that Muslim students can continue to learn in their native language. “Why can’t we have both Hindi and Urdu as options for students?” questioned Aslam Khan, a local school teacher. “This forced change is not only an assault on Urdu, but it is also a step backward in the inclusivity of our education system.”
The Urdu medium schools that have been converted into Hindi institutions hold significant historical value for the Muslim community in Ajmer. The Government Primary Urdu School Badbaav, in particular, has been operational since the early 1940s, providing education to generations of Muslim children. For many, these institutions represent a link to their cultural heritage and linguistic identity.
In light of the growing unrest, parents and activists are planning further protests and are calling for a mass rally to draw attention to the issue. “If the government does not take our concerns seriously, we will escalate our protests,” said one of the protest leaders, Najma Khan. “We are willing to do whatever it takes to preserve the right of our children to learn in Urdu.”
The District Collector acknowledged the concerns raised by the local community but emphasised that the decision was in line with the state’s educational policies. “We understand the sentiments of the community, but this decision has been made after careful consideration,” he said. “Our focus is on providing quality education to all students, regardless of their language,” the official added.
However, the response has done little to quell the anger of the protesting parents and community members. They argue that the move is not about improving education but rather about marginalising their community and diminishing their language. “We want the right to choose,” said one local teacher. “Urdu should not be wiped out from our schools. It’s as essential to us as any other subject.”
The issue is not just about the closure of schools but about the broader struggle to protect the cultural and linguistic rights of minority communities in India. As protests continue to gather momentum, the demand for reinstating Urdu as a medium of instruction in schools has become a rallying cry for many in the Muslim community across Rajasthan.
“We will not stop fighting for our children’s future,” said Mohammad Raza, echoing the sentiments of many others. “This is a matter of our community’s dignity, and we will continue to push for justice.”
As the protests unfold, the question remains whether the government will respond to the growing calls for change or whether this decision will mark a new chapter in the contentious battle over language, identity, and education in Rajasthan.
The fate of these eight Urdu medium schools remains uncertain. For now, the local Muslim community in Ajmer has vowed to continue its fight, hoping for a swift resolution that will allow their children to continue their education in their mother tongue.
In a nation as diverse as India, the issue of language and cultural identity remains a sensitive one, and the outcome of this controversy could have far-reaching implications for educational policies in the future.