Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 3: The Karnataka government has shortened school hours for Urdu-medium lower primary and secondary schools in the state in view of Ramzan, directing that classes will now be held only from 8 am to 12:45 pm.

According to the Directorate of Urdu and Other Minority Language Schools, the revised schedule will remain in effect from mid-February until March 20, coinciding with the holy month. The move has been made as Muslim students and staff observe fasting during Ramzan, necessitating a temporary adjustment to the school timetable.

The directorate clarified that the shortened hours are applicable only until March 20, after which schools will revert to normal timings.

The government’s decision has sparked sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress administration of indulging in appeasement politics. “Would the government adopt the same measure for any Hindu festival?” BJP leaders questioned, highlighting concerns over unequal treatment of different communities.