Shri Provash Ghosh, General Secretary, SUCI(C) has issued the following statement.
SUCI(C) strongly condemns the nefarious move of the ruling authorities to replace Urdu by Hindi on the signboards in Jammu and Kashmir, thereby effectively substituting Urdu language. Obviously, this move is deliberate and forceful imposition of Hindi in a region where Urdu—alongside various local languages—is widely spoken, Urdu also holds deep historical and cultural significance and is accepted as one of the official languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
We express grave concern over this systematic attempt to marginalize Urdu which has a rich legacy of literature, poetry, and classical ghazal. It was also a vehicle of expression for many leaders of the Indian freedom movement. Over time, Urdu has not only served as a means of communication but has become an inseparable part of India’s cultural fabric.
The Union Government’s decision to substitute Urdu with Hindi in the daily affairs of Jammu and Kashmir is fraught with the risk of further deepening the alienation of the valley people and thus obstructing their desired integration with the Indian ethos. This decision will only precipitate division among the people, as cultural unity cannot be achieved through linguistic domination. It must be rooted in genuine respect for the diverse languages.
We vehemently oppose this decision and demand of the central government to immediately refrain from undertaking this undemocratic move.
