Karnataka Adjusts Urdu School Schedules for Ramzan, Sparking Political Backlash
The Karnataka government has introduced revised timings for Urdu-medium schools across the state to accommodate the holy month of Ramzan. The decision, while aimed at facilitating students and staff observing the fast, has quickly turned into a fresh flashpoint in the state’s political landscape.
According to an official directive from the State Directorate of Urdu and Other Minority Language Schools, all junior primary and secondary primary Urdu-medium institutions will now operate from 8:00 AM to 12:45 PM. This adjusted schedule is set to remain in effect for one month, beginning from the start of Ramzan.
The directorate has clarified that the move is an extension of a standing order originally issued on October 31, 2002, and is being implemented to ensure convenience for the minority community during the fasting period.
Academic Calendar Revised for 2025-26
In addition to the daily timetable changes, the education department has also modified the academic calendar for all government, aided, and unaided Urdu-medium junior, senior, and high schools for the 2025-26 session. The revised schedule will apply from the onset of Ramzan through March 20, 2026.
Officials stated that the adjustments were made after considering the needs of students and teaching staff who observe fasts during the holy month, allowing them to maintain their religious practices without compromising on their educational commitments.
BJP Spokesperson Raises Questions on Equality
The decision has not gone down well with opposition parties. Shehzad Poonawalla, the national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party, sharply criticized the state government, questioning whether similar concessions would ever be extended during Hindu festivals.
“Now we see that schools in Karnataka will have different timings during Ramzan. But has the government ever made such allowances during any Hindu festival?” Poonawalla asked, while addressing the media. He went on to challenge the administration, asking whether teachers and staff would be permitted to leave early during Navratri or other significant Hindu observances in the same manner.
Poonawalla accused the ruling Congress party of prioritizing vote-bank politics over the constitutional principle of equality. He claimed that such instances of preferential treatment have been witnessed repeatedly in Karnataka, suggesting a pattern of appeasement rather than uniform governance.
Government Defends the Move as a Step Toward Inclusivity
Responding to the criticism, Karnataka’s Home Minister G. Parameshwara defended the decision, framing it as a necessary measure to address historical inequalities. He emphasized that certain sections of society have been marginalized for generations and that affirmative steps are essential to bring them onto an equal footing.
“These people have been neglected for thousands of years. Don’t you want them to become equal?” Parameshwara remarked. He further asserted that if such decisions are not tolerated, it indicates that certain groups are fundamentally opposed to the idea of equality itself.
The state government has reiterated that the revised timings are part of a broader effort to strengthen the inclusive education system and provide greater convenience to students from minority communities. Officials maintain that the change is temporary, limited to the duration of Ramzan, and does not alter the overall academic framework or curriculum standards.
Political Reactions and Public Debate
The controversy has ignited a wider debate on the intersection of religion, education, and governance in the state. Supporters of the decision argue that accommodating religious practices is a hallmark of a secular and pluralistic society, while critics contend that such targeted measures undermine the principle of uniform treatment for all communities.
- The revised timing applies exclusively to Urdu-medium schools, not to other institutions in the state.
- The standing order from 2002 had already provided a legal basis for such adjustments, which the current government has now invoked.
- Opposition leaders have demanded that similar flexibility be offered during major Hindu festivals to ensure parity.
- The government has not indicated any plans to extend similar arrangements to other school categories at this time.
As the debate continues to unfold, the practical implications of the decision will be closely monitored by educators, parents, and political observers alike. For now, Urdu-medium schools across Karnataka will operate on the shortened schedule throughout Ramzan, with the situation remaining a contentious topic in the state’s ongoing political discourse.
