Rift in State Congress over JTET language row

Pioneer News Service, Ranchi

The Congress party is internally divided over the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test (JTET) language row. The controversy centres on the exclusion of languages like Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, and several tribal languages from the revised JTET syllabus, prompting widespread protests and political friction.

While there is a group within the Congress, mostly tribal leadership who are supporting the exclusion of three languages terming these languages as Bihari, the other group is demanding inclusion of Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika in JTET syllabus.

In this connection, Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh met with Congress state in-charge K. Raju on Friday and submitted a letter of suggestion for the inclusion of Angika, Magahi, and Bhojpuri in the JTET 2026 exam. Deepika who is minister from Congress quota in Hemant Soren Cabinet stated that she submitted written suggestions to Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju regarding the inclusion of tribal and regional languages in the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test (JTET) 2026.

Angika, Bhojpuri, and Magahi were included as regional languages in the teacher eligibility exams conducted in 2008, 2012, and 2016, but the current notification does not include them. She emphasized that language is a powerful means of connecting people, and today’s young generation should be able to read, write, and speak regional and tribal languages. Therefore, it is essential to expand the options for regional and tribal languages in competitive exams. The exclusion of regional languages like Angika, Bhojpuri, Magahi, and Maithili from the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test is not limited to the exclusion of tribal languages like Asur, Birhor, and Malto from the list of tribal languages, but it is extremely unfortunate.

It is noteworthy that Kurmali is not included as a regional language in any district of Santhal Pargana, despite the millions of speakers of this language. She stated that respecting Jharkhand’s linguistic and cultural diversity, all tribal and regional languages should be given appropriate representation. Neglecting them is an injustice to the state’s rich heritage and linguistic identity.

Therefore, these languages should be included in the Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test for 2026, and the examinations should be conducted in a holistic manner.

However, Congress executive president Bandhu Tirkey has openly supported the exclusion of these three regional language from JTET syllabus.

The Jharkhand government to solve the issue had formed five-member ministerial panel to review language options for the upcoming Jharkhand Teacher Eligibility Test (JTET) failed to reach a consensus on including Bhojpuri, Magahi and Angika, pushing the final decision to chief minister Hemant Soren.

A committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the panel was divided. “Urban development and housing department minister Sudivya Kumar and excise minister Yogendra Prasad opposed the inclusion, saying the languages in concern are not native to Jharkhand. Ministers Deepika Pandey Singh, Radha Krishana Kishore and Sanjay Prasad Yadav were in favour of the inclusion,” the member said.