Ajmer: The recent decision to convert eight Urdu medium schools in Ajmer to Hindi medium has ignited widespread anger and protests among the Muslim community in Rajasthan. The move, announced by the Director of the Secondary Education Department in Bikaner, has been criticised as an attack on the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Muslim population.
As per a report in the Hindustan Times, the affected schools, including the Government Primary Urdu School Badbaav and the Government Girls High Primary Urdu School, have been integral to the community since the 1940s. The decision follows an earlier directive from the BJP-led Rajasthan government in December 2024, which ordered the replacement of Urdu and Persian terms in police terminology with Hindi.
Residents and parents in Ajmer’s predominantly Muslim neighbourhoods have expressed frustration, calling the move an attempt to erase their linguistic identity. “Urdu is not just a language for us; it represents our culture and history,” said a protesting parent.
Another teacher, Aslam Khan, questioned the government’s intent, stating, “Why not allow Urdu and Hindi to coexist as options? This is not about education; it’s about marginalisation.”
Community leaders, including Md Razi, have described the decision as a violation of educational rights.
“Our children deserve to be educated in their mother tongue. We will fight this decision with all our strength,” he declared during a protest.
Urdu medium schools in Rajasthan have long struggled with inadequate resources, including a lack of textbooks and qualified teachers. Parents argue that the conversion to Hindi medium will disproportionately affect Muslim students, who are more comfortable learning in Urdu.
Yasmeen Jahan, a local activist, accused Rajasthan’s Education Minister, Madan Dilawar, of leading this initiative as part of a broader agenda to undermine cultural diversity. “This is a systematic effort to erase our identity,” she remarked.
Community members have submitted a memorandum to the District Collector and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, demanding the immediate revocation of the order. Protesters have also announced plans for mass rallies to draw attention to their concerns.
The government, however, has defended the decision. A district official described it as part of broader educational reforms aimed at improving quality. This explanation has failed to assuage the fears of the Muslim community, who see the move as a threat to their heritage.
