Education – Karnataka Revises School Hours for Urdu-Medium Schools During Ramzan
Education – The Karnataka government has announced revised school hours for Urdu-medium junior primary and secondary schools during the upcoming month of Ramzan, citing the need to accommodate students and staff observing the fast. The adjusted timetable will be implemented for a limited period and applies only to institutions operating under the Urdu and other minority language education system.
According to an official directive issued by the Directorate of Urdu and Other Minority Language Schools, the affected schools will function from 8:00 am to 12:45 pm during Ramzan. The revised schedule is expected to come into force from the beginning of the holy month, which is likely to start in mid-February, and will remain valid until March 20.
Government Issues Formal Instruction on Timings
The order has been circulated to all concerned schools, instructing administrators to strictly follow the revised hours during the specified period. Officials said the decision was taken keeping in mind the physical demands of fasting on young students and teaching staff, particularly during longer school days.
Education department sources indicated that similar adjustments have been made in previous years as well, though such decisions often draw public and political attention due to their sensitive nature.
BJP Raises Objections Over Policy Decision
The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly criticised the move, accusing the ruling Congress government of engaging in selective governance. Opposition leaders argued that the decision reflects preferential treatment and questioned whether similar flexibility would be extended during Hindu religious festivals.
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, alleged that the government was prioritising vote-based considerations over equal treatment. He claimed the Congress has consistently ignored Hindu sentiments and suggested that such decisions could create the impression that the administration is working in favour of one community.
Narayanaswamy further stated that if the government was willing to make special arrangements for Ramzan, it should demonstrate the same approach during major Hindu festivals to maintain balance and fairness.
National BJP Leadership Seeks Equal Treatment
Echoing similar concerns, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioned whether the state government would offer comparable concessions during festivals like Navratri. Speaking to ANI, he said that allowing early departure for teachers and staff during Ramzan raises questions about uniformity in governance.
Poonawalla argued that policies should reflect constitutional values of equality and neutrality. He claimed that repeated decisions of this nature in Karnataka indicate a pattern of governance driven by electoral considerations rather than equal application of rules across communities.
Congress Defends Decision, Accuses BJP of Bias
Congress leaders responded by rejecting the opposition’s allegations and defending the government’s intent. Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara said the criticism reflects resistance to inclusive measures aimed at historically marginalised groups.
He stated that minority communities have faced long-standing disadvantages and that providing reasonable accommodations is part of ensuring equal opportunities. According to him, opposing such steps amounts to opposing equality itself.
Ministers Trade Sharp Political Remarks
Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad also dismissed the BJP’s objections, suggesting that the opposition was diverting attention from more pressing national and international issues. He accused BJP leaders of selectively focusing on topics related to Muslims and neighbouring countries while ignoring economic and diplomatic concerns.
Lad questioned the opposition’s stance on fuel pricing and international relations, arguing that the BJP’s criticism lacked consistency and sincerity.
Political Debate Continues as Implementation Nears
As the revised school timings are set to take effect, the issue has once again highlighted the broader political debate around governance, religious accommodation, and equal treatment. While the government maintains that the decision is administrative and temporary, opposition leaders continue to frame it as politically motivated.
With Ramzan approaching, the focus is now on how the policy will be implemented on the ground and whether similar considerations will be applied in future under different circumstances.