The Karnataka government has decided to change the timing of Urdu schools in the state during the month of Ramzan. These changes will be made in Urdu medium primary, upper primary and high schools. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parmeshwar said on Monday (February 2, 2026) that it is not right to call this step of the government as appeasement of minorities.
The government has issued a circular saying that this decision will be applicable to all government, aided and unaided Urdu medium schools and the decision has been taken after a review of the existing orders and a representation submitted by the Karnataka State Primary School Education Association (R), Bengaluru.
The circular dated January 30, made public on Monday, said, ‘Earlier, through a standing order issued on October 31, 2002, Urdu medium lower primary, upper primary and high schools in the state were allowed to conduct classes only from 8 am to 12.45 pm, and instructions have been given to review and take necessary action as per the rules of the said standing order.’
According to the PTI report, the government cited its order dated March 8, 2023, under which an activity action plan for the academic year 2023-24 was implemented for schools following the state curriculum. According to that circular, the regular hours of the school for daily academic activities were fixed from 10 am to 4.20 pm. However, keeping in mind the long-standing special provisions for Ramzan and Urdu medium institutions, the government reviewed the matter afresh following a representation submitted on January 17, 2026, by the president of the association.
The order said, ‘In the academic year 2025-26, the change in timings of all government, aided and unaided Urdu medium lower primary, upper primary and high schools of the state will be applicable from the date of commencement of the month of Ramzan till March 20, 2026.’ Justifying this step, Parmeshwar said that its objective is to bring Urdu medium children at par with other children.
He said, ‘If someone is not equal to you in every way like a Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe, then why do you think reservation for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes was given in the Constitution from the very beginning? Why do you think backward classes are mentioned in the Constitution? These are people who have been neglected for thousands of years. Don’t you want these people to be equal to others and build an egalitarian society?’
Yes. Parameshwara said that the change in timings is a slight encouragement given by the government in terms of programmes. He said, ‘If it is not tolerated, then it means that you are against people being treated equally.’
