Delhi University Sparks Controversy by Listing “Islam” as a Mother Tongue and Excluding Urdu from the Admission Form

Delhi University Sparks Controversy by Listing “Islam” as a Mother Tongue and Excluding Urdu from the Admission Form

A recent admission form issued by Delhi University has stirred widespread outrage and condemnation within academic and social circles after it included a section listing “Islam” as a mother tongue, while Urdu—one of the constitutionally recognized official languages of India—was entirely absent from the list.

The university has described this inclusion as a “typographical error,” but many academics and activists have viewed this incident as a significant violation of the cultural and religious identity of millions of Muslim citizens and a covert attack on a fundamental component of India’s diverse fabric.

Observers have suggested that listing “Islam”—a religion and not a language—as a mother tongue, reflects an exclusionary attitude and a dismissal of the linguistic and intellectual identity of the Muslim community, for whom Urdu is a fundamental pillar of their culture and extensive history. Many have expressed their astonishment at this “error,” particularly given that it appeared in an official document issued by one of India’s most prestigious universities.

Analysts have noted that the omission of Urdu from the admission form cannot be isolated from the political and cultural context currently observed in Indian society, where some minorities are subject to organized marginalization efforts that affect not only political rights but also the languages and cultures that embody these identities.

In a statement released by student and academic bodies, they emphasized that what occurred was not merely a typographical slip but a “deviation from the spirit of plurality and justice that educational institutions are supposed to uphold,” stressing that the fight is not about letters or forms, but about dignity and identity, and about the respect for the constitution that guarantees equality and diversity.

India has been witnessing rising tensions related to religious and linguistic identity over recent years, amid increasing calls to halt attempts to erase Islamic and linguistic heritage and fully recognize the position of Urdu in the country’s cultural and educational space.