The recent decision to convert eight Urdu-medium schools in Ajmer into Hindi-medium institutions has sparked strong protests from the local Muslim community. The move is seen as an act of cultural and religious discrimination, as these schools have long served the Muslim population, representing their linguistic and cultural heritage.
In December 2024, the BJP-led Rajasthan government instructed the state police to replace Urdu and Persian terms in policing terminology with Hindi. This directive was followed by a controversial move on January 17, when the Director of the Secondary Education Department in Bikaner ordered the conversion of several Urdu-medium schools in Ajmer into Hindi-medium institutions. Among the schools affected are the Government Primary Urdu School Badbaav and the Government Girls High Primary Urdu School, both of which have been operational since 1941.
The move has left the Muslim community in Rajasthan deeply distressed, especially as Urdu-medium schools were already facing challenges such as a shortage of Urdu textbooks and qualified Urdu teachers. For many, the decision symbolizes a deliberate undermining of their educational rights and cultural identity.
Local parents and residents have expressed strong opposition, calling the decision an attack on their cultural and linguistic heritage. “Urdu is an integral part of our identity,” said a concerned parent during a sit-in protest. “This move threatens to erase our language and history.”
The affected schools are located in predominantly Muslim neighborhoods, and the community views the conversion to Hindi-medium education as a deliberate effort to marginalize Urdu. Parents argue that the switch will disproportionately impact Muslim students, many of whom are more comfortable learning in Urdu.
Community leaders and activists have submitted a memorandum to the District Collector and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, calling for an immediate reversal of the decision. Md Razi, a local leader, stated, “This is not just about language; it’s about our children’s right to education in their mother tongue. We will oppose this decision with all our might.”
Mrs. Yasmeen Jahan accused the state’s Education Minister, Madan Dilawar, of leading this initiative, claiming it was part of a larger agenda to erode Rajasthan’s cultural diversity. “Our children are being stripped of their identity,” she said.
The Urdu-medium schools in question are deeply embedded in Ajmer’s history and culture. For example, the Government Primary Urdu School Badbaav has been educating Muslim children since the early 1940s. These schools are not just institutions; they serve as vital links to the community’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Local residents argue that, rather than eliminating Urdu education, the government should have allowed it to coexist with Hindi as an optional subject. “Why not provide both options?” questioned Aslam Khan, a school teacher. “This decision is not about improving education; it’s about sidelining a minority language.”
In response, parents and activists are planning larger protests, including mass rallies, to bring attention to their cause. Protest leader Najma Khan emphasized, “If the government doesn’t address our concerns, we will escalate our efforts. This is about our children’s future.”
While the District Collector acknowledged the community’s concerns, he defended the decision as part of broader educational reforms, stating, “Our goal is to provide quality education for all, regardless of language.” However, this explanation has done little to ease the community’s fears.
This controversy highlights a larger struggle to protect the linguistic and cultural rights of minority communities in India. For the Muslim community in Ajmer, the fight to preserve Urdu education has become a symbol of their effort to safeguard their heritage.
“This is not just about eight schools,” said a local teacher. “It’s about the survival of our language and identity. Urdu is as essential as any other subject, and we demand the right to choose.”
The fate of the eight Urdu-medium schools is still uncertain, but the resolve of Ajmer’s Muslim community remains steadfast. They are determined to continue fighting for a reversal of the decision and for their children’s right to learn in their mother tongue.
As protests grow in scale, the state government faces increasing pressure to address the community’s concerns. Whether this decision will serve as a turning point in Rajasthan’s educational policies or deepen divisions over language and identity remains unclear. For now, the local Muslim community in Ajmer stands united in its pursuit of justice, committed to protecting its cultural and linguistic legacy.
