Hindi, English, Punjabi, and Urdu to feature on all public signboards in the capital
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — In a significant step to promote linguistic diversity and inclusivity, the Delhi government has mandated that all public signboards in the city display names in four languages: Hindi, English, Punjabi, and Urdu. This move, under the provisions of the Delhi Official Languages Act, 2000, aims to ensure greater representation and accessibility for the city’s diverse population.
The official order, issued by the Department of Arts, Culture, and Language on November 4, 2024, states that all civic bodies, government departments, and autonomous bodies must comply with this new directive. The decision was approved by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, and is set to change how public spaces and government offices present information to citizens.
“The aim is to promote linguistic diversity and make public information accessible to people from different linguistic backgrounds,” said a senior official from the Delhi government, speaking to PTI. “From now on, signboards at metro stations, hospitals, public parks, and other government offices will feature names in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, and English in uniform font size.”
Currently, signboards in Delhi predominantly display names in English and Hindi. This change will reflect the linguistic diversity of the city, where a significant portion of the population speaks Punjabi, and Urdu holds historical and cultural importance.
The Public Works Department (PWD) will begin updating the names on road signs and other civic infrastructure to reflect this decision soon.
The order also extends to bureaucrats and government employees, who will now be required to display their names in all four languages on their office doors. The decision reflects the city’s commitment to embracing its multicultural identity and providing equal recognition to all its linguistic communities.
“This initiative will ensure that every citizen feels acknowledged and included, regardless of the language they speak,” said Rajinder Kaur, a member of the Delhi Language Commission. “It also serves as a recognition of the significant contribution of Punjabi and Urdu-speaking communities to the cultural fabric of the city.”
The policy is grounded in the belief that each of these languages carries its own significance within the capital. Hindi, as the official language, takes priority on public signboards, while English remains a dominant global language. Punjabi holds importance in the city due to its large-speaking population, and Urdu is included due to its cultural and historical ties to Delhi.
“This is a progressive step towards ensuring that all communities are respected and their languages celebrated,” remarked Aslam Khan, a cultural activist based in Delhi. “Urdu, with its historical roots in the city, deserves to be recognised alongside Hindi and Punjabi in public spaces.”
While the decision has been welcomed by many, some experts have raised concerns about the practical challenges of implementing such a policy across all public spaces. Updating road signs and government office boards is a major logistical task, and the uniformity of the font sizes and design is expected to require careful planning and execution.
However, the government has assured that the Public Works Department is prepared to handle these changes effectively, and the transition will be gradual to ensure minimal disruption to public services.
