KARACHI, Oct 2: Speakers at a conference criticized the discriminatory attitude of the Aga Khan University Education Board towards Sindhi language and demanded that the subject of Sindhi be made compulsory in its educational system.
Speaking at the All-Parties Conference organized by the Sindhi Boli Bachayo (Save Sindhi Language) Action Committee at the PMA House on Saturday, they pointed out that the AKU board was not only hurting the feelings of Sindhi people but also violating the law passed by the Sindh Assembly.
Jeay Sindh Mahaz chief Abdul Khalique Junejo, Yusuf Mustikhan, Hanif Bhatti, Usman Baloch, Inayat Khatyan, Anwer Mehranwi, Abdul Karim Chandio and Ali Akber Rajpar addressed the conference, conducted by Saleem Memon.
They said that Sindh Assembly in 1972 had passed an act under which subject of Sindhi had been made compulsory in all educational institutions working in the province. The assembly once again a couple of years back had passed a resolution calling for the implementation of the act and had directed that all the schools in the province should teach Sindhi as a compulsory subject.
They urged the government to ensure that the board, while working in the province, follows the laws and rules made by the Sindh Assembly. They also warned that a protest movement would be launched if their demand was not accepted.
The speakers made it clear that they were not against the AKU board as it had accepted that the English and Urdu would be the medium of teaching. However, they added, the board should also recognize the importance of Sindhi language. They claimed that they had approached the AKU board to resolve the issue but after a few meetings and a lapse of many months it was felt that the board was just using delaying tactics so that issue could be pushed to the back burner.
They said that it was not just a case of ignorance or a mistake, but it was a calculated action taken after a pre-planned conspiracy against Sindhi language.
Referring to the board’s manifesto, they said the decision for not including Sindhi as a compulsory subject was against the commitment of AKU board. The manifesto states: Students should be able to appreciate the diversity and plurality in Pakistani society and its culture as manifested in its languages, dress, built environment, art and architecture.
They urged all the inhabitants of Sindh to join hands and launch a joint struggle against the attitude of the board officials.
They alleged that the government under a policy had closed down a large number of Sindh-medium schools in Karachi under different pretexts. It was demanded that all such schools be opened immediately. Besides, students appearing in O and A levels examinations should also be taught Sindhi language in schools registered with the government of Sindh, they said.
