Uproar as Urdu course in Mewat college discontinued

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, June 5

The state government’s decision to discontinue the Urdu course at HLG Government College in Tawdu, Mewat, has led to an uproar.

Residents and leaders are accusing the Khattar government of attacking the linguistic heritage of Meo Muslims.

As part of its rationalisation programme, the Education Department has discontinued various courses in 59 colleges of the state on the basis of either lack of takers or teachers. As part of the same, graduation courses in economics and Urdu were discontinued from the college.

While the college principal concerned was unavailable for comment due to illness, a teachers said, “We had introduced this course some time ago and got many interested students, but we could not get the faculty for it. So, it is best to shut the course down.”

But Congress leader Aftab Ahmed said, “If Urdu is not taught in Mewat, then where else will they teach it? What about the promotion of our mother tongue? This is unacceptable. We have a majority of children, especially girls, who have been taught in madarsas. They would prefer to graduate in Urdu but they don’t have the option to travel to Delhi for it.”

“Urdu is our heritage and we want it to be promoted like Sanskrit. Is it possible that in a district with numerous people holding PhD in Urdu, the government could not find even one to run a college course?” said Noor Din Noor, a social activist.

The state’s decision to discontinue various courses in 59 colleges has come under the scanner with many, including teachers of these colleges, claiming it to be an attempt to popularise the newly started 31 colleges.

“Rather than trying to get teachers or students, they are shutting the courses, saying those are not profitable. We don’t know on what basis or survey the courses have been discontinued,” said an office-bearer of the teachers association.

Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma evaded commenting on issue claiming to be busy in a programme. As per the plan, courses like MA (Music) and PGD in Mass Communication too are being discontinued from Gurugram colleges.