'Muslim' as Mother tongue option sparks outrage-controversy Erupts over Delhi University Admission form

[Fatima]

Delhi University has faced intense criticism for listing "Muslim" as a language under the "mother tongue" section in its undergraduate admission form, while omitting Urdu, a constitutionally recognized language under the Eighth Schedule. The university has attributed this mistake to a "clerical error" and has since rectified the issue, reinstating Urdu and removing the erroneous entry.

The Controversy-

- The admission form's error sparked widespread outrage among academics, students, and civil society, with many condemning the university for its insensitivity.
- Professors argued that the mistake reflects deep-seated biases and communalism, highlighting the need for greater cultural awareness and linguistic representation in educational institutions.
- The controversy has also prompted discussions about the terminology used in official forms, with some suggesting that "native language" or "first language" would be more accurate than "mother tongue".

Reactions from Faculty Members-

- Abha D Habib, former member of DU's Executive Council, described the error as "not innocent" and reflective of biases that conflate religion with language.
- Dr. Dhusiya, a member of DU's Executive Council, emphasized that mistakes like these damage the university's inclusive image and disregard the cultural significance of languages like Urdu.
- A professor at Kirori Mal College, saw the move as a worrying attempt to misrepresent India's largest minority community and undermine the secular nature of languages like Urdu.

*Implications and Future Steps*

- The incident has sparked a broader conversation about linguistic representation in higher education institutions and the importance of accuracy in official forms.
- Delhi University's prompt response in correcting the error has been noted, but the controversy highlights the need for greater vigilance and cultural sensitivity in academic administration