Anjuman-e-Islam condemns objections to use of urdu in govt communication

Dharwad: The Anjuman-e-Islam (North Karnataka) has expressed deep concern and disappointment over objections raised by certain individuals against the use of Urdu in official invitations issued by the state health department.In a statement released here, NKAI president Hameed Koppad said that language should serve as a bridge to healthcare and not become a barrier. Speaking on behalf of the Anjuman and citizens of North Karnataka, he emphasised that inclusive communication is essential for effective public service delivery.He described the health department's decision to include Urdu in its official communication as a commendable step towards inclusive governance. "Public health initiatives are most effective when communicated in the mother tongue of the target demographic, ensuring that critical medical information reaches every household," he said.Highlighting the historical significance of Urdu, Koppad pointed out that during the constituent assembly debates, Urdu had narrowly missed becoming the sole official language of the Union. He noted that the tie-breaking vote cast by Rajendra Prasad had resulted in Hindi being adopted instead. "This reflects Urdu's longstanding and near-equal importance in shaping our national identity," he added.The statement further stressed that Urdu is one of the officially recognised languages of India and has deep cultural and historical roots in Karnataka. Objecting to its use in government communication, he said, goes against the spirit of linguistic harmony and the pluralistic ethos of the state.Calling for the issue to be viewed from the perspective of public welfare rather than politics, Koppad remarked that the primary objective of the health department is to save lives. "Language is merely a tool to facilitate that mission and should not be turned into a point of controversy," he said.The Anjuman-e-Islam reaffirmed its support for the Government of Karnataka's efforts to reach all sections of society through multilingual outreach. It urged authorities not to be swayed by what it termed as fringe objections and to continue ensuring that Urdu-speaking citizens receive information in a language familiar to them.The organisation also appealed to the public to uphold the values of tolerance, unity, and inclusiveness that define Karnataka's social fabric.