A linguistic controversy has emerged in Jharkhand as the state government opted to remove Bhojpuri, Magahi, Maithili, and Angika from the list of regional languages for the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test (JTET). This decision has sparked protests from both the Opposition and leaders within the ruling alliance. The exclusion has faced criticism, especially from candidates in the Palamu division and parts of the Santhal Pargana region, where these languages are widely spoken.
Many aspiring candidates are worried that this move could negatively impact their performance in the long-awaited eligibility test. State BJP President and Rajya Sabha member Aditya Sahu criticized the government for what he sees as a discriminatory stance. He questioned why languages like Odia and Bengali were included, while Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, and Maithili were left out, despite being spoken in districts bordering Bihar.
The decision has been labeled as a disregard for local linguistic realities and the rights of aspirants by BJP state Vice President Bhanu Pratap Shahi. He highlighted the significant speaker base of Bhojpuri and Magahi in districts like Palamu and Garhwa. State Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radha Krishna Kishore acknowledged the issue, promising to address it in the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
Senior Congress leader K. N. Tripathi also criticized the exclusion, stating it is unfair to aspirants from the Palamu region. BJP MLA Alok Chaurasia warned that denying candidates the option to write the exam in their mother tongue could not only impact their performance but also shake their confidence. The controversy is set to escalate as political pressure mounts on the government to reconsider its decision regarding the JTET examination.
