Urdu is not Muslim

The Supreme Court has today in an order regarding the usage of Urdu in signages reminded us of a basic tenet of our constitution that language is distinct from religion. Deciding on a petition against the usage of Urdu in sign boards in a municipal council in akola district of Maharashtra. Article 30 explicitly categorizes minorities into linguistic and religious groups. This distinction is often conflated in the case of Urdu. Ever since the Hindi- Hindustani tussle over official language Hindustani or Urdu has been identified with Muslims and its use as third language in signages is being protested in recent years. This is a manifestation of the anti Muslim discourse dominant in our polity today. The court has emphasized on celebrating our diversity both religious and linguistic and that Urdu is an original language of India and sixth most spoken language in the country. Its use facilitates wider communication and reflects cultural syncretism. Urdu the once lingua franca of north India and chief connecting language across the country is facing discrimination and existential crisis. That the apex court had to remind us of this distinction is a reflection on the state of society and politics.