JAIPUR: Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence principles inspired millions of people during the independence movement. Now, Thakur Shamsher Bhalu Khan has undertaken a march towards Dandi in Gujarat to protest against the pathetic condition of Urdu teaching in Rajasthan.
Khan is a government Urdu teacher in Rajasthan. Years of neglect towards Urdu education and Madrasa teachers in state forced him to take this step to attract government’s attention. He started his journey from his hometown in Churu district on November 1, 2020 to walk more than 1000km on foot. He is at present in Udaipur.
"Around 6,000 para teachers employed in around 3,500 registered Madrasas in state are working on minimum wages but haven’t been made permanent. Due to government neglect, only six schools of Urdu medium exist now. This is injustice towards linguistic minorities in the state," said Khan.
He had earlier protested at the Churu district collector’s office last year from July to October 2019 as well. Getting no satisfactory solution, Khan finally decided to take up the non-violent path.
Khan says, "When I decided to follow the path of Gandhi, people laughed at me. Except for my wife, everyone called me crazy and tried to persuade me to shun this idea. But, I had decided that this is the only option left to shake the government that has so far remained ignorant towards linguistic minorities issues".
Khan’s wife Akhtar Bano is protesting at Churu collector’s office for the last ten days in support of her husband. A few kilometers from Udaipur, Khan was admitted to a hospital due to weakness and foot ulcer. After doctor’s advice, he decided to stay in Udaipur for a few days and then resume his journey. People from many villages joined the march enroute. Khan and his friend Asif Tipu Khan, who had left home on foot without any money, were welcomed at people’s homes who gave them food and lodging. Asif said, "People of different communities have welcomed us in their homes. Urdu is not a religious language and people understand its value".
President of Rajasthan Urdu Teachers’ Association Ameen Kayamkhani said that Urdu medium schools are in pitiful condition. "Goverment has appointed general cadre teachers, who don’t know Urdu language, in two Urdu medium schools at Jaipur. For last many years, Urdu medium books haven’t been supplied to schools. Shamsher is forced by the government that is completely neglecting the issue of linguistic minorities," said Kayamkhani.