In a landmark ruling dated April 16, 2025, the Supreme Court of India upheld the use of Urdu on a Municipal Council signboard in Maharashtra, reinforcing the idea that language should be a tool for unity, not division. The judgment was delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice K. Vinod Chandran in the case of Varshatai v. The State of Maharashtra.
The case stemmed from a civil appeal filed by a woman who objected to the inclusion of Urdu on the signboard of the Municipal Council, Patur, in Akola district. Dismissing the appeal, the Court emphasized that Urdu is not a foreign language but an essential part of India’s cultural and linguistic fabric. This case brings fresh attention to the use of Urdu in Indian courts, highlighting how deeply embedded the language is in legal communication with words like Adalat, Halafnama, Peshi, and Vakalatnama used daily in courtrooms across the country.
The Bench also quoted a moving nazm by poet Iqbal Ashhar, asserting that Urdu, much like Hindi, is a language of the land, and should not be viewed through the prism of religion or politics. The Court further pointed out that under Articles 343 and 345 of the Constitution, India’s framework allows for multilingual expression, and Urdu is officially recognized in several states and union territories.
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Background of the Case
The case began when a woman, Varshatai, filed a legal challenge against the use of the Urdu language on the signboard of the Municipal Council office in Patur, located in Akola district, Maharashtra. The signboard displayed the name of the council first in Marathi (the official language of the state), followed by its Urdu translation.
The appellant argued that Urdu is not the official language of Maharashtra and that its use on government property violates the Maharashtra Local Authorities (Official Languages) Act, 2022. She believed that only Marathi should be used on official signboards and that including Urdu was both unnecessary and inappropriate.
This dispute raised broader questions about the use of Urdu in Indian courts and government offices, especially in states where it is not the primary official language. The issue brought into focus the constitutional rights of linguistic minorities, the status of Urdu as an official language in several Indian states, and the deep influence of Urdu in Indian legal terminology.
The case reached the Supreme Court, where the judges had to decide whether using Urdu in public signboards alongside the state’s official language violated any constitutional or legal provisions.
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Court’s Observations on the Use of Urdu on the Signboard
While dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court made strong and thoughtful observations about the use of Urdu in Indian courts and in daily life. The Court highlighted that Urdu is not a language foreign to India, it is deeply rooted in Indian society, especially in the legal system.
The Bench, comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, pointed out that many common legal terms used in Indian courts today, such as Adalat (court), Halafnama (affidavit), Peshi (appearance), and Vakalatnama (power of attorney) are of Urdu origin. They remarked:
“Interestingly, Urdu words have a heavy influence on Court parlance, both in criminal and civil law. From Adalat to halafnama to peshi, the influence of Urdu is writ large in the language of the Indian Courts.”
The judges also noted that even though English is the official language of the Supreme Court and High Courts (as per Article 348 of the Constitution), Urdu words are still commonly used in courtrooms across the country. This clearly shows the Urdu influence in Indian legal language.
The Court emphasized that Hindi and Urdu are not entirely separate languages. In fact, they share similar grammar, pronunciation, and sentence structure. The Court said:
“Urdu and Hindi have broad similarities in all these counts.”
It explained that the major difference lies only in the script and Urdu is written in Nastaliq, and Hindi in Devanagari but their spoken forms are almost the same in daily conversations. In fact, the Bench stated:
“One cannot have a day-to-day conversation in Hindi without using words of Urdu or words derived from Urdu.”
Further, the Court clarified that:
“But this does not mean that Hindustan and Urdu have become extinct. This was never the intention of the framers of the Constitution. In a speech to the Constituent Assembly on the language issue, Jawaharlal Nehru emphasized that the official language i.e. Hindi shall be enriched by borrowing the vocabulary from Urdu.”
The Court also noted that several states and union territories have officially recognized Urdu as one of their official languages. These include states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, and union territories such as Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir. It observed:
“Even from a Constitutional perspective, the use of language for official purposes is not according to any rigid formula.”
The Bench expressed the view that when people criticize Urdu, they are, in a way, also criticizing Hindi. Linguists and literary scholars often agree that Hindi and Urdu are not two separate languages but essentially one language, with the primary difference being the script used. The Court remarked:
“True, Urdu is mainly written in Nastaliq and Hindi in Devanagari; but then scripts do not make a language. What makes languages distinct is their syntax, their grammar and their phonology. Urdu and Hindi have broad similarities in all these counts.”
Quoting poet Iqbal Ashhar, the Court added a human and emotional touch to the judgment by including this moving nazm:
“Urdu hai mirā naam maiñ ‘Khusrav’ kī pahelī
kyuuñ mujh ko banāte ho ta.assub kā nishāna
maiñ ne to kabhī ḳhud ko musalmāñ nahīñ maanā
dekhā thā kabhī maiñ ne bhī ḳhushiyoñ kā zamāna
apne hī vatan meñ huuñ magar aaj akelī
urdu hai mirā naam maiñ ‘Khusrav’ kī pahelī”
(Translation: Urdu is my name, I am the riddle of Khusrav… I feel like an outsider in my homeland today.)
The Court stressed that language should not be used to divide people but to bring them together. They explained that the Maharashtra Local Authorities (Official Languages) Act, 2022 does not prohibit the use of an additional language like Urdu, especially when a section of the local population is familiar with it.
“If people or a group of people, residing within the area covered by the Municipal Council are familiar with Urdu, then there should not be any objection if Urdu is used in addition to the official language i.e. Marathi, at least on the signboard of the Municipal Council.”
The Court also warned against the politicization of language and reminded that during the Constitution drafting debates, Jawaharlal Nehru had stated that Hindi should be enriched by borrowing vocabulary from Urdu. It added:
“This was never the intention of the framers of the Constitution… The fusion of the two languages Hindi and Urdu met a roadblock in the form of the puritans on both sides and Hindi became more Sanskritized and Urdu more Persian. A schism exploited by the colonial powers in dividing the two languages on religion.”
“Language is a medium for exchange of ideas that brings people holding diverse views and beliefs closer and it should not become a cause of their division.”
In conclusion, the Court stated that the appellant’s case was based on a misunderstanding of the law, and using Urdu on a public signboard does not violate any legal provision.
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Applicable Legal Sections on the Use of Urdu on the Signboard
- Article 348 of the Indian Constitution
- English is the official language of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
- Despite this, many Urdu words are still widely used in court language, showing Urdu’s deep influence.
- Article 343 of the Constitution
- Hindi is the official language of India.
- However, English was allowed for official use for 15 years after the Constitution started.
- This shows that other languages like Urdu can continue to be used officially.
- Article 345 of the Constitution
- Gives states and Union Territories the power to adopt any official language for their area.
- States like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal officially recognize Urdu.
- Union Territories like Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir also use Urdu officially.
- Maharashtra Local Authorities (Official Languages) Act, 2022
- Regulates official languages used by local authorities in Maharashtra.
- The Court held that displaying Urdu alongside Marathi on the Municipal Council signboard is not a violation of this Act.
- Overall Legal Impact
- These laws protect and support the use of Urdu in Indian courts and public spaces.
- They reflect India’s linguistic diversity and ensure Urdu’s continued presence in official communication.
Impact of the Case on the Use of Urdu
- The Supreme Court’s ruling supports the use of Urdu in Indian courts and public signage, recognizing Urdu’s cultural and linguistic importance.
- It confirms that many Urdu words are an integral part of legal language used daily in courts across India.
- The judgment promotes respect for Urdu alongside other official languages, encouraging inclusivity and diversity.
- It emphasizes that language should unite people, not divide them, especially in multicultural India.
- The ruling affirms the constitutional right of states and local bodies to use Urdu as an official or additional language.
- This decision protects and promotes the continued use of Urdu in Indian courts and public communication.
Overall, the case fosters unity and cultural harmony by recognizing Urdu as a vital part of India’s linguistic heritage.
Final Thought
The Supreme Court’s thoughtful judgment in this case reaffirms that language should be a bridge, not a barrier. By recognizing the deep-rooted influence and rightful place of Urdu in India’s legal and public systems, the Court has upheld the spirit of unity in diversity. The continued use of Urdu in Indian courts and on public signage is not only legally valid but also culturally enriching. This decision is a step toward embracing India’s multilingual identity and respecting every language that forms the fabric of our nation.
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