Calling it a selective discrimination, Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has strongly protested against the decision of the government to exclude Urdu from the examination of NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) in 2017-18.
SIO has challenged the decision of excluding Urdu from NEET Exams. The central government said it would not conduct the exam in Urdu this year because no state represented to conduct the Exam in Urdu. But it is open to conduct it from the next session.
“We proclaim unity in diversity. But when it comes to the meat of the matter, it differs and varies. India is such a wonderful place where you can see the diversity of culture and language which varies from state to state. It differs at every 5 kilometres. When it comes to Urdu, it is one of the most spoken languages. In terms of speaking, it ranks sixth in India as per census report. But unfortunately the Union Ministry of Health has decided to conduct the NEET examination in 2017 excluding Urdu. What about the future of those more than 10,000 candidates who were supposed to write NEET exam in Urdu? Who is responsible for those students who have no freedom to attend the NEET exam this year? We all protest against this selective discrimination,” said Nahas Mala, National President of SIO, at a press conference held at Press Club of India on 21 March.
“It is noteworthy that the health science courses are not only about MBBS and BDS. There are many other courses such as BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery), BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery), physiotherapy course, and naturopathy. In states like Maharashtra, more than 10,000 seats are for these courses excluding MBBS and BDS. These courses are very much related to Urdu,” said Ravindra S Garia who is advocate of SIO in the issue.
Garia further said that this issue had not emerged for the first time. In 2013, this issue had come to Supreme Court, and the court had ordered the government to conduct NEET exam separately in Urdu. In the Constitution, there are 24 languages which have been recognised as Indian languages. The government is bound to promote these languages. NEET is conducting exams in 10 most speaking languages of India which were listed by census. But it excluded Urdu which is the sixth most speaking language in India.
Inam-ur-Rahman, coordinator of Federation of Muslim Educational Institutions, said Urdu is not the language of a particular community. It is viewed as a language of particular community. But in fact it is an Indian language. It has been born and grown up in India. All Indians should stand firm against this selective discrimination.