Siddaramaiah Seeks 'Urdu-Proficient Anganwadi Teachers' In Muslim-Populated Districts, BJP Questions 'Sidelining' Of Kannada

The Congress government in Karnataka has come under fire for issuing a notification requiring proficiency in Urdu for candidates applying for the position of Anganwadi teachers in the Mudigere and Chikkamagaluru districts.

The notification released by the Siddaramaiah government for the two districts has sparked criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the Congress government of "appeasing" the Muslim community.

Former BJP MP Nalin Kumar Kateel condemned the decision, stating, "Mandating knowledge of Urdu for Anganwadi teacher jobs is unacceptable. This is another attempt by Congress to favor the Muslim community and limit job opportunities for others. It’s a dangerous political tactic."

The controversy stems from an order issued by the Department of Women and Child Welfare, which mandates Urdu proficiency for applicants in these districts, India Today reported.

The BJP criticised the move on social media platform X, arguing, "The Karnataka government is imposing Urdu in Kannada-speaking regions. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar must clarify why Urdu is being prioritised over Kannada, the official language of the state."

In response to the backlash, the Mudigere Education Department raised concerns, pointing out that the local population includes diverse communities, with Muslims making up 31.94 per cent.

According to government guidelines, in areas where minority communities constitute over 25 per cent of the population, workers proficient in the minority language, in addition to Kannada, should be hired.

However, the emphasis on Urdu has been criticised for potentially sidelining Kannada-speaking candidates. The department has urged that Kannada proficiency be made a mandatory requirement and that job applications be provided in Kannada to address concerns raised by pro-Kannada groups.