Urdu

Supreme Court’s Stance: The Supreme Court upheld the use of Urdu on a municipal council signboard in Maharashtra, emphasizing that language is culture and should not divide people. Urdu is considered a key element of India’s composite culture (Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb).

Misconception about Urdu: The court clarified that Urdu is not alien to India; it originated on Indian soil and is an Indo-Aryan language.

Urdu’s Cultural Significance: Urdu embodies the composite culture of India, blending Hindu and Muslim traditions. It is rich in poetry, literature, and is present in Bollywood.

Official Status: Urdu is recognized as an official language in several states and Union Territories, reflecting its importance.

Linguistic Diversity: India has immense linguistic diversity with Urdu being one of the most spoken languages.

Historical Context:

Urdu in Modern India: Urdu continues to be used in common conversations and legal contexts. It is often used in legal settings from the court to the halafnama to peshi.