In a sharp critique that has sparked widespread debate, Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay Kumar has vehemently denounced the recent notice issued to Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) as utterly unacceptable. Speaking at a public rally in Hyderabad, the fiery BJP leader labeled the administrative action as an overreach that undermines the institution’s autonomy.
The controversy erupted when MANUU received a formal notice from higher education authorities, questioning certain financial and administrative decisions made by the university’s leadership. Critics within the BJP camp, including Sanjay, argue that such interventions smack of political vendetta against minority-focused institutions. ‘This is nothing but an attempt to stifle Urdu education and marginalize communities that rely on it,’ Sanjay thundered, drawing applause from the crowd.
Sanjay, known for his outspoken stance on issues affecting Telangana and national education policy, went further to highlight what he sees as a pattern of selective scrutiny. He pointed to similar instances where central universities faced no such probes despite larger irregularities. ‘Why single out Urdu University? Is it because it serves the Muslim community?’ he questioned, urging the government to withdraw the notice immediately.
The university, established in 1998 to promote Urdu language and culture, has been a beacon for students from underserved backgrounds. Its programs in professional courses taught through Urdu have empowered thousands. Faculty and students have rallied in support, organizing protests and submitting memorandums to local leaders.
As the row intensifies, political analysts predict it could become a flashpoint in upcoming elections. Sanjay’s intervention has galvanized BJP supporters while drawing ire from opposition parties, who accuse him of stoking communal tensions. The Ministry of Education has yet to respond officially, but sources indicate a review meeting is scheduled soon. For now, the standoff underscores deeper fault lines in India’s higher education landscape, where language, politics, and identity collide.