By: Syed Zia ur Rahman, YaHind.Com
Hyderabad, July 23, 2025 – Osmania University has decided to discontinue Arabic and Persian from its undergraduate degree programs starting the 2025-2026 academic year, prompting criticism from students and community members, particularly within the Muslim community, who value these languages for their cultural and professional significance.
Founded in 1917, Osmania University has long offered Oriental language courses, including Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, reflecting Hyderabad’s cultural heritage. These languages are popular among students aiming for careers in the Middle East and Central Asia. However, posts on X indicate that the Telangana state government, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, has removed these languages from the undergraduate curriculum. The university has not provided an official reason for the decision, fueling speculation of administrative changes or policy shifts.
The move has sparked concerns about limited career opportunities for students, especially in diplomacy, translation, and business in regions where Arabic and Persian are widely spoken. Critics argue it undermines Osmania’s legacy of linguistic diversity, with some X users calling it a “worrying” decision that neglects minority communities. Calls for protests and alternative programs, like diploma courses, have emerged online.
The decision follows Osmania’s cancellation of undergraduate courses at Hindi Mahavidyalaya in November 2024 due to administrative irregularities. Unlike that case, no explanation has been provided for dropping Arabic and Persian, intensifying the controversy.
Osmania University, with over 300,000 students and 225+ courses, remains a key educational hub. Stakeholders are pressing for clarity on whether these languages will be offered through postgraduate or distance education programs. The controversy persists, with no official statement from the university.
For updates, visit www.osmania.ac.in or follow discussions on X.
