Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent remarks in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly have reignited the long-standing debate over Urdu’s status as the state’s second official language. The issue traces back to 1989, when then-Congress Chief Minister Narain Dutt Tewari introduced the Uttar Pradesh Official Languages (Amendment) Act, granting Urdu this designation. The move, made in a legislative house of 425 members, faced protests from 16 BJP legislators at the time.
Thirty-five years later, discussions over the recognition of Urdu have resurfaced, sparking concerns about its implications on governance, education, and communal harmony. While Urdu remains a significant language spoken by a large section of the population, its official status continues to be a subject of political and ideological debate.
RSS-Linked Group Launches Nationwide Campaign to Promote ‘Bharat’ Over ‘India’
Meanwhile, the Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (SSUN), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has initiated a nationwide campaign urging the exclusive use of “Bharat” instead of “India” in all official communications. The campaign, launched in 200 locations across the country, aims to gather one million signatures by March 21.
SSUN national general secretary Atul Kothari emphasized the cultural and historical significance of the term “Bharat,” asserting that “India” carries colonial connotations. He cited the G20 Summit in September 2023 as an inspiration for the campaign, where invitations from President Droupadi Murmu referred to her as “President of Bharat,” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nameplate also bore “Bharat.”
As part of their initiative, SSUN plans to submit a memorandum to the President, advocating for a constitutional amendment to modify Article 1 of the Constitution, which currently states, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.” The group aims to rally support from students, teachers, lawyers, industry leaders, and public representatives to push for the exclusive recognition of “Bharat” as the nation’s official name.
