Delhi University’s undergraduate admission portal, which went live on Thursday, has drawn widespread criticism after “Muslim” was listed as an option under the “Mother Tongue” category a move widely denounced as both factually inaccurate and communally insensitive.
The controversy deepened with revelations that Urdu, a constitutionally recognised language and widely spoken by many, especially in North Indian Muslim communities, was excluded from the list. The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution officially recognises Urdu as one of India’s national languages.
Further fueling outrage, several caste- and occupation-related terms such as “Bihari,” “Chamar,” “Mazdoor,” “Dehati,” “Mochi,” and “Kurmi” were also inexplicably included as language options, raising serious concerns over the intent and diligence behind the form’s creation.
Abha Dev Habib, general secretary of the Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF), called the inclusion of “Muslim” as a language Islamophobic and deeply disturbing. “DU’s registration form for UG admissions reflects not just ignorance, but a communal mindset. It must be immediately rectified, and those responsible held accountable,” she stated in a Facebook post.
Dr. Mithuraaj Dhusiya, a member of Delhi University’s Executive Council, echoed these concerns, expressing dismay at the university’s oversight. “It’s disheartening to see such a prestigious institution make such grave errors. Our linguistic diversity and pluralism must be respected,” he said, urging for urgent corrective measures.
Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor at Kirori Mal College and a Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) member, described the move as a “deliberate act of communalism.” He warned that such actions not only marginalise the country’s largest minority but also “threaten the inclusive and constitutional ethos of a central university.”
Though the portal was briefly taken offline and the problematic entries corrected, the university has yet to issue an official statement addressing the controversy.
Calls for a formal apology and a transparent explanation continue to mount, as many question how such serious missteps made it through institutional oversight at one of India’s premier academic institutions.
