Aligarh 5 September, 2014: Muslim intellectuals, organisations and institutions have welcomed the Supreme Court judgement upholding 1989 Uttar Pradesh Law conferring Urdu the status of second official language while disposing off Civil Appeal No. 459 of 1997.

Upholding the Urdu language as the second language of UP by the constitution bench of Chief Justice R M Lodha, Justice Dipak Misra, Justice Madan B. Lokur, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice S.A. Bobde is a mile stone in the history of justice delivery system in India said Prof. Razaullah Khan Chairman, Mushawarti Council Jamia Urdu Aligarh while chairing a meeting of social organisations & Institutions. He pointed out that UP has a sizeable Urdu speaking population and after judgement of the Apex Court it is now upon the UP government to give its due place not only officially but practically and functionally.

Intervening in the discussion, Farhat Ali Khan, OSD of Jamia Urdu Aligarh said that Urdu is not only an important language historically but has potential to enhance communal harmony. But it is very unfortunate that though UP government had declared Urdu second language in UP but still Urdu medium schools are not being granted recognition. He demanded that now when Supreme Court has stamped its approval on status of Urdu, the UP government should extend recognition to Urdu medium schools.

Jasim Mohammad Secretary of Millat Beadri Muhim Committee (MBMC) while discussing historical contribution of Urdu during freedom struggle pointed out that for the sustainable development of Urdu, declaring it second language in UP is not sufficient. The government should link it with employment if it has political will. He said that the time has come when UP government should ensure justice with Urdu on ground level.

Nikhat Parveen Director, Alisha Publications said that the Supreme Court judgement has opened the way for declaration of Urdu as second language in other states too. Urdu medium schools should be opened and recognised in all such states which have 20 percent Urdu population to uphold sprite of Constitutional guarantee to linguistic minorities.

AMU Court Member Prof. Humayun Murad said that after Supreme Court Judgement, according to recommendation of Ranganath Mishra Commission, Urdu speaking people should be provided reservation.

In the end, a resolution was passed unanimously welcoming the Supreme Court Judgement. In another resolution the meeting demanded that UP government should provide recognition to Urdu medium schools.

Hastakshep