Provide stats on Urdu schools: HC

Updated on: Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Expressing concern over the dwindling number of students in Urdu-medium secondary and higher secondary schools, the Bombay high court on Monday directed the state government to provide statistics of state-run and private schools.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Rekha Sondurbaldota was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Mirza Naheed Baig on the closure of schools catering to minority communities. The court had earlier directed the petition to be restricted only to Urdu schools.

Baig’s lawyer A N Mulla contested the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s statement that the closure of Urdu-medium schools was due to people shifting to suburbs. He said that as per the latest census, the population has increased and more schools would be required. An affidavit submitted by BMC commissioner Subodh Kumar states there are 1,02,082 students in 208 primary schools and 13,407 students in 39 primary schools. The court had, at the last hearing in June 2011, asked the commissioner to go through the Sachar Committee Report, which highlighted the educational status of Muslims in India.

Kumar’s latest affidavit states that efforts are being made to enrol Muslim students through direct admissions.

“What happens to the other students? Where do they go after primary school? Do they discontinue their studies or do they switch over to other mediums,” asked Justice Shah. BMC counsel K K Singhvi replied that they may be enrolling in government-run schools. “According to you (BMC), no new Urdu-medium schools are required,” said Justice Shah.

The matter has been adjourned to September 19.

Provide stats on Urdu schools: HC

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