Urdu, Hindi Belong To All: Katju

Press Council of India Chairman Justice Markandey Katju on Sunday stressed the need for de-linking Urdu and Hindi languages with particular communities.

Addressing a felicitation function organised by Urdu Journalists Association at Madina Education Centre, Katju said that a misconception was deliberately created by elements with vested interests, by linking Urdu and Hindi languages with different communities. Stating that both languages belonged to the entire country, he said the old British policy of divide and rule should be curbed.

Katju said that Urdu and Hindi were the symbols of the Indian civilisation, and that a movement should be launched to revive "the glory of our heritage".

The PCI Chairman also asked the state government to solve problems being faced by small newspapers and Urdu publications. He said that small newspapers played a major role in promoting national integration, and therefore, the government should support them by releasing advertisements.

National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) Director Khaja Mohammad Akramuddin, Association president Osman Rasheed, Dr Rahimuddin Kemal, Asif Azami, Zia Qadri, Mohammad Siddique, Firasath Ali Baqri, Khaleequr Rahman and Hadi Raheel also spoke at the event. (INN)