In a development that has stirred sharp controversy in Bagalkot district, activists from pro-Hindu organisations have accused the Department of Women and Child Development of practising “anti-Hindu bias” and “Muslim-friendly recruitment” by allegedly giving preferential treatment to Urdu-speaking candidates for Anganwadi worker and assistant posts — even in areas where a majority of the children belong to the Hindu community.
Urdu-speaking workers prioritised in 50 Anganwadi centers
According to reports, over 50 Anganwadi centres in the district have prioritised hiring workers who can speak Urdu on the pretext of fulfilling a government guideline that allows preference when at least 24 per cent of the local population belongs to a linguistic minority.
The controversy flared particularly in Galagali village of Bilagi taluk, where Urdu-speaking candidates were selected for Anganwadi Centers No. 15, 32 and 11. Notably, in Center No. 11, where 12 out of 18 children belong to Hindu families, Yasmin Jamadar, an Urdu-speaking worker, was appointed as the Anganwadi worker.
Pro-Hindu groups up in arms, threaten statewide protest
Pro-Hindu activists, led by a local leader named Shyama, have come out strongly against the appointments, accusing the government of promoting sectarian discrimination at the grassroots level. “This is a Muslim-friendly education policy disguised as minority inclusion. When the majority of the children in an Anganwadi are Hindu, why is the government prioritising Urdu?” Shyama asked.
He further warned, “If the government does not withdraw this unjust rule, we will shut down Anganwadis and launch a statewide protest. This is nothing but sowing communal divisions at the stage where innocent children are still learning to speak.”
Officials defend appointments as per government policy
In response, District Women and Child Welfare Officer Prabhakar Kavitha defended the appointments, clarifying that they were made by government regulations. “As per the state guidelines, if 24 per cent or more of the population in the jurisdiction of an Anganwadi center belongs to a linguistic minority, then candidates knowing that language can be considered for appointment,” she stated.
She added, however, that Kannada remains the medium of instruction in all Anganwadi centres, and the knowledge of Urdu is simply to facilitate communication with children who may not understand Kannada at the entry level.
List of Urdu-speaking appointees in Galagali sparks criticism
Among the Urdu-speaking candidates appointed in Galagali are:
- Shaheen Mulla (Assistant, Anganwadi No. 15)
- Shaheen Sultan (Assistant, Anganwadi No. 32)
- Salma Sheikh (Assistant, unspecified)
- Yasmin Jamadar (Worker, Anganwadi No. 11)
Pro-Hindu activists argue that in many of these centres, the proportion of Hindu children far outweighs that of Muslim children, questioning the logic behind selecting workers based primarily on Urdu proficiency.
