The Odisha Urdu Circle on Friday alleged that a conspiracy has been hatched by the State Government “to finish” the Urdu language education. Though Urdu is one of the Modern Indian Languages (MILs), it is ignored by the Government.
An Urdu teachers’ training institute was established in Cuttack 110 years back, for which the Muslim community donated land, but during the last few years not a single teacher trainer was found to be on job. And it was known on February 23 that the institute was closed.
Urdu Circle State president Shaikh Abdul Wali, former Minister Panchanan Knaungo, CPI(M) leader Abhiram Behera, CPI(ML) Liberation leader Mahendra Parida, Congress leader Amiya Pandav, RJD leader Hemanta Kumar, NCP leader Bikram Swain and Warqut Alli Tanvir told reporters that it is high time the Government took note of this or else the language would slowly vanish.
In some Muslim villages, community members had started Urdu Primary Schools, but subsequently in a Government notification it was changed as Muslim Basti UP Schools instead of Urdu UP Schools.
Besides, those qualified as ‘Fazil’ under the Madras Board were appointed as Urdu teachers, but the Government changed it as Urdu Bed as there were no facilities to be trained and as Urdu BEd teacher. How would it be possible to qualify as a teacher, questioned the Circle.
A joint memorandum in this regard was sent to the Chief Minister, the Mass Education Minister and all concerned department officials.