Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty has strongly condemned the Lakshadweep administration’s decision to drop Arabic and Mahal languages from the school curriculum, calling it “deeply disturbing” and a blow to India’s linguistic and cultural diversity. The directive, issued under the 2023 National Curriculum Framework on May 14, replaces the two languages with Hindi as the third language in Lakshadweep schools. While Malayalam and English remain as the first and second languages, the move has sparked widespread backlash — especially in Minicoy island, where Mahal (a dialect of Dhivehi) is an essential part of the local identity.
Sivankutty urged democratic institutions and civil society to oppose what he called “linguistic injustice,” stating that the decision erodes constitutional protections for linguistic minorities. Protests have broken out across Minicoy, with residents and teachers demanding the reinstatement of Mahal in classrooms. Many pointed out that Mahal textbooks haven’t been updated since 1968, indicating long-standing neglect.
Lakshadweep MP Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed also criticized the decision, emphasizing that Arabic and Mahal are deeply rooted in the region’s religious and cultural life. He has called for the immediate suspension of the order and for both languages to be reinstated as optional under the three-language formula.
This controversy adds to growing tensions between the island’s residents and the administration led by Praful Khoda Patel, which has repeatedly faced criticism for policies seen as ignoring local traditions and voices.
