NEW DELHI: A widely circulated Indian daily “Indian Express” has strongly supported the cause of Urdu for being given the status of the country’s official language. Writing editorially under the caption “The place of Urdu”, the newspaper observed that Gandhiji was for simple Urdu which he styled “Hindustani”, being made the official language of the country and he wanted it written in Persian script as well. Referring to the recent memorandum submitted to the Indian Premier by a large number of Parliamentarians the editorial opined: “The memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister by 104 Members of Parliament urging recognition of Urdu as the second official language in certain States is not the first of its kind. Some years ago a similar representation supported by thousands of signatures was made to the President. It demanded the status of regional language for Urdu in States where it was the mother tongue of a sizable section of the population especially U.P.”

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from Jeddah], the Indian flag which was hoisted along with the banners of some 56 countries participating in the World Muslim Congress at Mecca had to be hauled down just at the beginning of the first session. This followed strong protest by Muslim delegates against hoisting of the flag of a country so notorious for its bad treatment of its Muslim minority. The resentment among Muslim delegates was also evident from their refusal to attend a function arranged by the Indian Embassy.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2015

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