Urdu enthusiasts contend that the Centre appears to treat Urdu unfairly. They argue that Urdu, being a language popular throughout India, deserves equitable attention and preservation in the nation’s linguistic landscape.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A noticeable decline has lately been witnessed in the promotion of Urdu language programs on Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR), sparking grave concern among Urdu connoisseurs.
Despite reassurances from concerned officials, the situation remains alarming with questions being raised over the government’s commitment to linguistic diversity in its broadcasting institutions.
The issue initially came to the fore during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when news bulletins were significantly reduced, disproportionately affecting Urdu programs. Although Hindi and English broadcasts were restored, Urdu programs reportedly faced neglect. Calls from Doordarshan officials and the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting for the revival of Urdu programs have not translated into concrete actions.
Reports indicate a potential deliberate undermining of Urdu in Delhi’s All India Radio, with Hindi programs taking precedence. Appeals from Urdu enthusiasts and language activists have not improved the situation, raising concerns over equitable treatment of languages in government broadcasting institutions.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur, when questioned about the situation, attributed the decline to paucity of competent and skilled staff and program prioritisation, a response deemed and criticised as misleading. Despite assurances for the restoration of various programs, Urdu news bulletins continue to be neglected.
Sources suggest that Urdu staff, previously engaged in delivering quality content, has been transferred to sections engaged in Hindi, English, and other programs. The limitation of Urdu news to only two bulletins during the pandemic, coupled with the failure to reinstate them despite ongoing efforts, raises concerns about a systematic attempt to sideline Urdu language.
The National Commission for Minorities had previously issued a notice to Doordarshan seeking an explanation on the matter. However, despite assurances at that time, the current scenario indicates a lack of progress. Social media campaigns and questions raised in Parliament have not yielded a desired response from the authorities, suggesting a lack of attention to the issue.
The decline in Urdu programs appears incongruent with the government’s avowed policy of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” (Development for all), raising questions about a potential organised effort to marginalise the language based on its historical association with the Muslim era.
Tensions escalated when daily news bulletins like Roshan and Mani were broadcast in Urdu from Delhi during the early days of the lockdown until this year’s March. However, subsequent cutbacks in Doordarshan news bulletins and programs raise doubts about the future of Urdu language broadcasts.
Queries directed at Prasar Bharati’s CEO, Shashi Shekhar, yielded ambiguous response.
As stakeholders continue to raise their voices and demand action, the fate of Urdu programs on Doordarshan and All India Radio hangs in the balance, emphasising the imperative for a transparent and inclusive approach to language representation in national broadcasting.
Urdu enthusiasts contend that the Centre, committed to promote the 22 scheduled languages, appears to treat Urdu unfairly. They argue that Urdu, being a language popular throughout India, deserves equitable attention and preservation in the nation’s linguistic landscape.
