The inclusion of Urdu language as a medium of the exam in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET 2017) has now been in question for a long while now.
In the latest updates, it has been reported that the proceedings of the verdict have been postponed to 10th April 2017. The SC Bench comprising of Justices R. Banumathi and Kurian Joseph heard the case for the fourth time on 31st March 2017.
Also Read: Supreme Court: Candidates above 25 Years can Appear for NEET 2017, Application Deadline Extended
It is therefore expected that the next (fifth) hearing of the petition filed by SIO or the Students Islamic Organisation of India seeking inclusion of Urdu language in NEET 2017 will take place before another Bench. The recommendations about the same were made by the Justices Banumurthi and Joseph themselves.
The first, second and third hearing was held on 3rd March, 10th March and 24th March respectively.
In the proceedings of the last hearing held on 31st March, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, who is fighting the case on the behalf of CBSE and MCI revealed that the SIO had filed an affidavit stating that Centre is being communal by excluding the interest of Urdu speaking students with respect to NEET 2017.
Also Read: SIO alleges Govt. to be Communal; Seeks NEET 2017 in Urdu
The affidavit put in by SIO alleged that the step of the Government of India’s Health Ministry of not including the Urdu language as a medium in NEET 2017 is a deliberate and intentional one. It accused the government of not considering the language as a part of the cultural heritage and culture of the country. The discriminatory perception exists because of the association of the language with the Muslim religion, it further stated.
With the next hearing nearing, stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more updates!