In a significant reaffirmation of India’s linguistic and cultural pluralism, the Supreme Court of India on 15th April 2025 dismissed a plea challenging the display of Urdu signboards on municipal buildings in Maharashtra. The bench, comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K. Vinod Chandran, emphasized that “language is not religion” and categorically asserted that Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language born in India, much like Marathi and Hindi.
The case arose from objections to the use of Urdu on the signboard of a municipal council building in Patur town, located in Maharashtra's Akola district. The petitioner contended that the inclusion of Urdu violated the Maharashtra Local Authorities (Official Languages) Act, 2022, which mandates Marathi as the official language on government signboards. The Bombay High Court’s Nagpur bench had earlier rejected the petition, prompting the petitioner to approach the apex court.
Upholding the High Court's judgment, the Supreme Court bench stated, “Language belongs to a community, to a region, to people—not to a religion. Language does not even represent religion.”
The bench further clarified that there is no legal bar on the use of additional languages, particularly those listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. “We have to emphasize that Marathi and Urdu occupy the same position under Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India,” the court declared.
Reclaiming Urdu as Indian
The judgment forcefully rejected the perception that Urdu is a foreign or religious language. “The prejudice against Urdu stems from the misconception that Urdu is alien to India,” the court observed. “This opinion, we are afraid, is incorrect. Urdu, like Marathi and Hindi, is an Indo-Aryan language. It is a language which was born in this land.”
This statement not only acknowledges the linguistic roots of Urdu but also challenges the communal lens through which languages in India are often viewed. Though frequently associated with Indian Muslims due to its historical evolution during the Mughal era, Urdu has played a vital role in the country’s literary and cultural landscape. Poets such as Mir, Ghalib, and Sahir Ludhianvi—regardless of religion—have all contributed to its legacy.
Legal and Social Implications
The ruling carries broad implications for the interpretation of linguistic rights in India. It reinforces the spirit of inclusivity enshrined in Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, which protect the rights of minorities to conserve their language and culture.
Legal experts have lauded the verdict for reinforcing the non-sectarian character of Indian languages. “The judgment is a reminder that languages are bridges, not boundaries,” said senior advocate Prashant Bhushan. “It will hopefully dissuade future attempts to communalize language policy in India.”
Political Response
While civil rights groups and linguistic scholars welcomed the ruling, some political voices expressed discomfort. A section of leaders from regional parties in Maharashtra argued that it might dilute the primacy of Marathi in state institutions. However, constitutional scholars pointed out that the court did not undermine Marathi’s official status but simply allowed additional linguistic representation in a multilingual society.
Conclusion
At a time when debates over identity, language, and religion are deeply polarized, the Supreme Court’s unequivocal stand reiterates a foundational principle of Indian democracy: pluralism. Urdu, born in the soil of Hindustan, now officially reclaims its rightful space on a civic signboard—and, symbolically, in the idea of India itself.