Day After Row Over BJP MLA's Remark, Nitish Kumar's Push For Urdu In Govt Departments

The government aims to offer Urdu training to individuals who have not studied the language as a medium of education. The training sessions are set to begin on April 8.

File photo of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.

Source : IPRD

In a significant move, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has launched an initiative to promote Urdu language in the government departments in the state. 

Under the initiative, the JD(U)-led NDA government will now provide Urdu language training to both government and non-government employees. 

The state government has already begun preparations for the initiative and the responsibility has been assigned to the Cabinet Secretariat. 

The state government's move comes a day after a row in the state after BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachol said that Muslims must stay at home on Holi to avoid a confrontation. The remark led a political row in the state with the Leader Of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav dared Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to rebuke the MLA and make him apologise.

As a part of the initiative, the government is set to conduct  a 70-day training program for learning Urdu. Apart from the government officials and employees, professionals in the field of literature, law, education, social service, and journalism are also set to participate in the language training.

The Urdu Directorate of the Cabinet Secretariat Department has said that those employees and officials working in central or state offices who do not know Urdu but wish to learn it can avail the training. 

How to Apply for Urdu Training?

The training program will run for 70 days, where the training will be given every day for two hours. The government aims to offer Urdu training to individuals who have not studied the language as a medium of education. The training sessions are set to begin on April 8.

The training will be conducted every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1 PM to 3 PM, except on holidays. 

The government employees interested in learning Urdu can apply online or submit their applications to the Urdu Directorate at Hindi Bhavan. Non-government individuals can send their applications via email or postal mail.