Urdu missing, 'Muslim' a language: Delhi University blames tech snag

Delhi University found itself in the soup after its undergraduate admission form had the word "Muslim" as a 'mother tongue' — without a mention of Urdu, a language according to the Constitution. While the screenshots of the form went viral on social media, DU issued a gushy statement that it was a "clerical error.".

"The University of Delhi would like to offer its sincerest regret for the inadvertent error that has been made in its admission form. We thank you for your vigilance and hope to make the necessary correction. But to interpret ulterior motives in this entirely inadvertent error is quite inappropriate. We implore all not to marinate the University's pluralistic and peaceful environment," said the official press statement.

The entry point had also been closed for a while and then re-set. Officials ensured the form has been re-designed and Urdu has been restored. But all are not sure if it was a technical glitch.

Abha Dev Habib, former member of DU Executive Council, tweeted it wasn't an "innocent mistake". "Mixing religion and language is ignorant and dangerous," she tweeted.

FACULTY CALL IT A DEEPER PROBLEM

Scant numbers of DU professors believe the mistake amounts to anything. Executive Council member Dr Mithuraaj Dhusiya stated, "Such mistakes give a wrong impression about the university as a liberal institution. Urdu is a part of India's cultural heritage."

Kirori Mal College instructor Rudrashish Chakraborty stated the use of the word 'Muslim' in a particular context "misrepresents India's largest minority community". He further clarified that Urdu is a secular language and is spoken by all.

'MOTHER TONGUE' OR 'NATIVE LANGUAGE'?

The professors have also complained about the terms employed. "The 'mother tongue' is a colloquial expression. Academic writing should employ 'native' or 'first language' in the interest of clarity," believed a DU English department teacher.

Releasing a statement, DU added: "We respect your concerns and are willing to iron out a solution to them. it is not to simply attribute ulterior motives to this entirely inadvertent mistake."