The decision follows a similar step in Chhattisgarh amid growing concerns over marginalisation of the Urdu-speaking population
NEW DELHI/JAIPUR — Following the footsteps of Chhattisgarh, the Rajasthan government has issued a directive instructing the police department to replace Urdu and Persian words currently used in official documents, reports, letters, and notice boards with Hindi alternatives. This move has stirred considerable unrest among Muslims and Urdu-speaking communities who see it as part of a growing pattern of cultural marginalisation.
Rajasthan’s Minister of State for Home recently claimed that the decision was based on the observation that “most students preparing for competitive exams in Rajasthan do not study Urdu as a third language,” which allegedly creates difficulties for police personnel when using Urdu and Persian words. However, critics argue that this explanation masks a political agenda aimed at sidelining the languages historically linked to Muslim culture in the country.
The minister instructed the state police to prepare a formal proposal to replace Urdu and Persian words with Hindi, which will then be reviewed for implementation at the administrative level. This directive echoes a similar move in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, where the police chief issued a list of 109 Urdu and Persian words alongside their Hindi replacements.
Urdu and Persian languages have deep roots in Indian history and culture, especially among Muslims, where they serve as not just languages but carriers of identity and heritage. These languages have enriched the country’s literary, cultural, and administrative history for centuries. The attempt to erase them from official use is seen by many as an assault on the Muslim community’s cultural rights.
Imran Ansari, a senior Urdu teacher in Jaipur, expressed concern: “Urdu and Persian are not just words; they are the soul of our heritage. Replacing them with Hindi undermines the identity of millions of Indian Muslims who have contributed richly to the nation’s history.”
He added, “This is not about making things easier for police officers; it is about sidelining a language that belongs to a significant part of India’s population.”
The Rajasthan Minister of State for Home referred to Hindi as the “national language” during the announcement, a claim that contradicts India’s constitutional framework. The Constitution recognises 22 official languages under the Eighth Schedule and explicitly does not declare any language as the national language.
Dr Farida Begum, a constitutional law expert, explained: “India’s strength lies in its linguistic diversity. Declaring Hindi as the national language is not only legally incorrect but also a move that risks alienating communities who speak other languages. It marginalises Urdu, a language deeply connected to Indian Muslims and the country’s composite culture.”
Critics accuse the BJP-led government of using language policy as a political tool to undermine the legacy of the Mughal era, with its association with Urdu and Persian. They see this as an effort to impose a homogenised Hindi identity on a diverse population.
Mohammad Arif, a law student preparing for the Rajasthan Police exam, said, “The problem is not Urdu or Persian; it is the lack of support for these languages in education. Urdu is spoken and understood by many Muslims in Rajasthan. Removing it from official use will only create confusion and alienate a large section of the community.”
He added, “The government should instead encourage learning of Urdu and Persian rather than discarding them.”
The move to replace Urdu and Persian words with Hindi is seen by many as part of a wider trend across several states where minority languages, especially those connected to Muslim culture, face systematic neglect or replacement.
Hasan Raza, a social activist from Ajmer, said, “This is not an isolated incident. The replacement of Urdu in police work signals a disturbing trend of cultural erasure. Urdu has been a language of official communication for centuries and removing it sidelines Muslim identity in public administration.”
He warned, “If this continues, it will deepen communal divides and send a message that the government does not value the contribution of Muslims to the nation.”
Rajasthan’s Director General of Police, Jawahar Singh Bidham, defended the move, saying, “In the present era, police personnel and the common people are not familiar with Urdu and Persian words. Using Hindi will make communication easier and more accessible.”
However, critics point out that replacing centuries-old linguistic practices does not address the real issue of education and inclusion but rather serves to alienate minority communities.
A government spokesperson added, “The move aims to simplify police work and is not intended to hurt any community. It aligns with the government’s goal of promoting Hindi as a common language.”
For India’s Muslim community, the move represents more than just a linguistic shift. It touches on concerns of cultural marginalisation, political exclusion, and the eroding status of Urdu, a language many Muslims consider a vital part of their heritage.
Dr Saeed Khan, a historian specialising in Muslim culture in India, observed, “Language is closely tied to identity. The move to replace Urdu and Persian with Hindi in official matters could discourage Urdu education and threaten the survival of this rich cultural tradition.”
He called on the government to reconsider the decision and engage with Muslim communities to find inclusive solutions that respect the country’s diversity.
