Very recently, controversy erupted in India over the status of Urdu, one of the country’s officially recognized languages. The debate has sparked heated discussions, political posturing and highlighting the complex and often fraught relationship between language, identity, and politics in India.
The controversy began when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath suggested that teaching Urdu can make people fundamentalists. This comment was met with widespread criticism from opposition parties, scholars, and Urdu language enthusiasts, who argued that the chief minister’s remarks were baseless and divisive.
Many scholars believe that Urdu is a language with a rich history and cultural significance in India. It originated in the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal Empire and was widely spoken and used as a lingua franca during the British colonial era. Urdu has been an integral part of Indian culture, with many famous poets, writers, and intellectuals contributing to its literary and cultural heritage.
This controversy over Urdu is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger debate over the role of language in Indian politics and society. India is a country with incredible linguistic diversity, with over 22 officially recognised languages and hundreds of dialects. However, this diversity has often been a source of tension and conflict, with different language groups vying for recognition and power.
The controversy has had a significant impact on Urdu speakers and the language community. Many Urdu speakers feel that their language and culture are being marginalised and excluded from the mainstream. The controversy has also sparked fears that the UP government may withdraw Urdu’s official language status, which could have far-reaching consequences for the language and its speakers.
Rohinee Singh is a journalist who has made significant contributions to promoting the Urdu language and challenging stereotypes surrounding it. Her book, Urdu Main MeraDoosraJanam (Urdu is My Second Life), chronicles her journey of learning Urdu and discovering its deep cultural significance.
Singh’s fascination with Urdu began with childhood memories of watching her grandfather read in the script. Despite her non-Urdu background, she was determined to learn the language and eventually enrolled in a diploma programme at the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) in New Delhi.
Through her book, Singh aims to challenge the notion that Urdu belongs to a particular community or religion. Instead, she highlights Urdu’s inclusive essence and its role as a unifying force in Indian culture. Singh’s work has been recognized for promoting a more nuanced understanding of Urdu and its significance in India’s cultural heritage.
As a journalist, Singh has worked with top media houses, including India Today, The Indian Express, and Zee Media. She also contributes to Deutsche Welle Urdu Service (Germany), The Wire (Urdu), and The Friday Times (Pakistan).
She said, “The need to master Urdu became crucial while researching Sikh history and the life of Guru Nanak.” She realised that many historical texts, manuscripts, and literary works related to Sikhism were documented in Urdu, and depending on translations was inadequate.
“Urdu is the language of love, poetry, and history. It belongs to all of us. I hope my book inspires others like me – those who once had Urdu as part of their heritage but lost touch with it over time. Learning Urdu was like finding a lost part of myself,” says Rohinee.
Senior journalist Dr. Abhay Kumar, who regularly writes articles and columns for Urdu newspapers and magazines, is saddened by the “anti-Urdu” remarks made by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Talking to Radiance, he said,“It is very unfortunate that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who holds a constitutional position, has linked Urdu to a language associated with conservatives and hardliners. One should not forget that he made these remarks in the Assembly when the Opposition requested an Urdu translation of the House proceedings. This clearly indicates that the BJP government in the state has little concern for promoting Urdu, despite it being one of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.”
Explaining the root of such anti-Urdu sentiments, Dr. Kumar stated, “The deep-seated prejudice of Hindutva forces against Urdu reflects their exclusionary idea of nationhood, which falsely equates India with one language, one culture, and one nation. However, the historical reality is that India has always been a land of multiple nations, languages, and cultures. The politics of demonising Urdu as the language of a particular religious group is far from the truth. In fact, Urdu has been spoken by people of different faiths and regions.”
Dr. Kumar, whose book on Muslim Personal Law is forthcoming, also debunked the claim that Urdu is exclusively a language of Muslims. Drawing from personal experience, he said, “I learned Urdu early in life, and the literature available in Urdu has broadened my vision rather than narrowing my outlook. I would urge Mr. Yogi to read about the progressive role of Urdu poetry during nationalist movements. Before making baseless accusations against Urdu and its speakers, he should also reflect on the fact that the Hindutva organisation he is affiliated with either supported British rule or weakened people’s unity by stoking religious divisions.”
All those criticising Urdu should be reminded of the contributions of non-Muslim Urdu writers:
- Raghupati Sahay, also known as FiraqGorakhpuri, a renowned Urdu poet and critic.
- Brij Narayan Chakbast, a prominent Urdu poet and lawyer from Lucknow.
- Gopi Chand Narang, a celebrated Urdu critic, poet, and scholar.
- Krishan Chander, Rajinder Singh Bedi,KamleshwarandGulab Khandelwal, famous Urdu writers and novelists, known for their progressive and socially conscious writings.
- Ralph Russell and A.J. Arberry, British scholars and translators;and Khushwant Singh,a notable Indian writer and translator, known for their translations of Urdu literature into English.
Also, the first Urdu Ghazal was done by Chandrabhan Brahman. Pandit Anand Mohan Zutshi,alias Gulzar Dehlavi, was a famous poet and there are many more.