NEW DELHI/BIJNOR – A heated controversy has erupted in Bijnor’s Seohara block following the suspension of a primary school principal, Rafat Khan, over the decision to have the school’s name displayed in Hindi, English, and Urdu on the school walls. The incident has sparked widespread debate over the status of the Urdu language and raised concerns about discrimination against Muslims in the region.
The school’s walls featured the school’s name painted in Hindi on one side and Urdu on the other. A photograph of the wall soon went viral on social media, triggering outrage among some community members and political groups who opposed the use of Urdu. The Basic Education Officer (BSA) swiftly responded by ordering an investigation, which concluded that no prior permission had been sought before getting the Urdu inscription done.
As a result, the BSA suspended Principal Rafat Khan for what was described as a breach of rules and indiscipline. Officials claimed that any writing or work on school property must receive prior approval, and this protocol was allegedly ignored.
However, this administrative decision has escalated into a broader political and social dispute. Many voices have risen in defence of Principal Khan and the use of Urdu in the school. They argue that Urdu is one of the officially recognised languages of Uttar Pradesh and has a rich cultural and historical significance, especially for the Muslim community.
Local teacher and social activist, Imran Siddiqui, commented: “Urdu is part of our heritage and the constitutional rights of Indian Muslims must be respected. Suspending the principal for simply recognising this language is unfair and sends a worrying message about the place of Urdu in our schools.”
Parents and community members gathered in protest against the suspension, demanding that the principal be reinstated immediately. “Urdu is not just a language, it is our identity,” said Fatima Begum, a parent of a student at the school. “By punishing Principal Khan, the authorities are indirectly targeting the Muslim community.”
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.
