Context of the Case
- Case Origin: Appeal was filed against the use of Urdu on the signboard of the Municipal Council, Patur in Akola, Maharashtra.
- Appellant’s Claim: Urdu signage was “wrong” since Marathi is the official state language.
- SC Bench: Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Vinod Chandran delivered the judgment.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance)
Key Observations by the Supreme Court
Language ≠ Religion
- It is a “pitiable digression from reality” to associate Hindi with Hindus and Urdu with Muslims.
- Language is secular in nature: A medium of communication, not a marker of faith.
- Language represents communities, regions, and cultures, not religions.
Cultural and Civilizational Value of Language
- Language is a yardstick to measure civilisational progress and the evolution of a community.
- Urdu is the finest example of Ganga-Jamuni tahzeeb — a symbol of India’s composite culture.
- Ganga-Jamuni tahzeeb: Refers to the syncretic Hindu-Muslim cultural traditions of northern India.
Urdu’s Indigenous Roots
- Urdu is not alien; it was born and nurtured in India.
- It evolved within the subcontinent’s linguistic ecosystem, alongside Hindi and Marathi.
- Urdu is a part of the Indo-Aryan language family, like Hindi and Marathi.
Linguistic Similarities between Hindi & Urdu
- Common Phonology, Syntax, and Grammar: Despite script differences (Devanagari vs Nastaliq), the spoken form is largely the same.
- Script ≠ Language: Scripts are writing systems, not language identities.
- The divergence between Hindi and Urdu came from purist influences:
- Hindi leaned toward Sanskritisation.
- Urdu absorbed more Persian and Arabic vocabulary.
- Everyday Hindi spoken by the common man is rich with Urdu terms.
Judgment’s Cultural Message
Composite Heritage
- Urdu symbolizes the fusion and harmony between communities.
- The judgment reasserts India’s pluralistic ethos and linguistic inclusivity.
Rejection of Prejudice
- Misconception of Urdu being foreign is a product of cultural ignorance.
- Condemns the linguistic prejudices that alienate Urdu from its Indian roots.
Wider Implications
Policy and Governance
- Encouragement for inclusive use of regional and minority languages in official domains.
- Boosts the constitutional values of linguistic diversity under Article 29 and Article 350.
Social Harmony
- Reinforces the idea that language can be a bridge, not a divider.
- Encourages recognition and respect for shared cultural contributions across communities.
Conclusion
- The Supreme Court’s remarks go beyond legal technicalities and affirm India’s syncretic identity.
- The judgment upholds constitutional secularism and celebrates linguistic heritage as a unifying cultural force.
