Urdu Markaz appeals against BJP’s demand to convert Urdu Learning Centre into ITI | File Photo
Mumbai: Urdu Markaz lodged a petition to the commissioner of linguistic minorities after the BJP opposed the construction of the Urdu Learning Centre in Byculla. After securing the highest number of seats in the state assembly elections, the BJP has swiftly focused on challenging the Shiv Sena as the Urdu Bhavan project was approved by the latter in 2021.
The BJP and the Shiv Sena have been in a tussle over Byculla’s Urdu Learning Centre which was backed by the then Shiv Sena MLA Yamini Jadhav. While a ground-plus-one storey structure has already been erected on the proposed site, the BJP has demanded the structure to be converted into an Industrial Training Institute (ITI).
After BJP spokesperson Bhalchandra Shirsat wrote to the BMC commissioner demanding conversion, Urdu Markaz, which has been working to get the Urdu Learning Centre, has written to the Commissioner of Linguistic Minorities demanding to safeguard the Urdu Learning Centre. Commissioner of Linguistic Minorities is appointed by the President of India as a special officer for the safeguard of linguistic minorities.
Shirsat had claimed that the land was originally allotted for the construction of an ITI in Parel in 2011 but the proposal was cancelled in 2019 without following due procedure and the Urdu Bhavan was approved in 2022.
Urdu Markaz refuted Shirsat’s claims saying that the BMC had alloted the land to the state government to build an ITI but it was left unused for a longtime without paying the necessary fees. The org.sation claimed that the land was returned to the BMC after which the budgeting and tendering of Urdu Learning Centre was sanctioned.
Urdu Markaz also alleged that Malabar Hill MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodaha along with other BJP workers started agitation against the Urdu centre after which an interlocutory order was obtained from the state government putting a stay on the work. A petition was also filed in the High Court but it did not give any stay against the centre.
Through his letter to the BMC Commissioner, Shirsat had said that there are 12 Urdu schools in the vicinity and therefore the structure should be converted into an ITI to enhance the technical skills of the youth. On the other hand, Urdu Markaz argued that the BMC-run schools look after primary education while the Urdu Learning Centre will offer specialised literature courses.
It also argued against converting the structure into an ITI claiming that an ITI has been sanctioned in Agripada while another is being built in Dongri. “The claims made by the former corporator are factually incorrect. We are hopeful that our efforts of promoting a language should not face discrimination due to political reasons,” said Zubair Azmi, director of Urdu Markaz.
In 2021-22, the Shiv Sena-led BMC had made provisions for the construction of the Urdu Bhavan in Mumbai. The proposal for the project was submitted by the Assistant Commissioner of E Ward in December 2021 and was sanctioned by the Municipal Commissioner in August 2022. The BMC allocated a budget of Rs 13.81 crore for the construction of a five-storey Urdu Bhavan.
