In a powerful affirmation of India’s cultural and linguistic diversity, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of using Urdu on a municipal building’s signboard in Maharashtra. The top court emphasized that languages are tools of unity and communication- not grounds for conflict.
The case involved a challenge to the presence of Urdu signage at the Patur Municipal Council office in Akola district. A former councillor had argued that it violated the Maharashtra Local Authorities (Official Languages) Act, 2022. But the Supreme Court bench, led by Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K. Vinod Chandran, upheld the Bombay High Court’s earlier verdict, noting that the Act does not ban the use of Urdu alongside Marathi.
Justice Dhulia, writing the judgment, made a strong statement: “Language is not religion.” He highlighted that Urdu is deeply rooted in Indian soil and is a symbol of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, a blend of cultures that shaped North and Central India.
The court explained that the council’s intention was to connect better with residents. If Urdu helps communicate with more people in the area, its presence is both meaningful and justified.
Justice Dhulia also pointed to the nation’s vast language landscape. Citing the 2001 Census, he noted India has 122 major languages and over 234 mother tongues. Urdu ranks sixth among scheduled languages and is spoken across most parts of the country.
The court ended with a resounding message: “We must celebrate our diversity. Language is meant to foster understanding-not create barriers.”
