Urdu has continued to be indifferently treated in the land of its birth. The report of the Committee for Promotion of Urdu (1975) constituted by Government of India, has virtually been shelved. In consequence, there is acute dissatisfaction, boarding on alienation among the Urdu-speaking people. They had high expectations from the United Front to whose empowerment they made a are feeling wholehearted contribution. They disenchanted. We do hope that the UF will not follow in the footsteps of the earlier governments in taking them for granted and feeding them with promises.

We, therefore, urge upon (you) with all the anguished emphasis at our command, to consider the recommendations contained in the Report and have the long overdue Government Resolution passed on it ... The salient recommendations in the order of importance relate to: a) education, b) use of Urdu for official purposes, c) its projection in the media. We would, therefore, press for immediate action on the following points ...

1.     "Population of 10% or more in any concentrations of linguistic minority are to be taken as the basis for the provision of primary education through the mother tongue in that area. One third of the total number of pupils, studying through the minority language at the primary level, should be taken as moving on to the next stage of education and this proportion should form the basis for provision of educational facilities at the secondary level. The existing 10:40 and 15:60 formula should be abandoned".

The provision made in the Education Code of Uttar Pradesh with indecent haste in the wake of independence to the effect that Hindi alone would be the medium of instruction is anti-education and should be removed forthwith

2. "On the basis of estimates made, it may be presumed that two-thirds of the students leaving primary schools would be desirous of moving on to the next stage of education. Urdu medium sections in the existing schools should be provided on this basis and Urdu knowing teachers appointed in anticipation of students offering Urdu as a medium. One Urdu medium higher secondary school should be opened for every group of eight to ten primary schools"

3. Three Language Formula should provide:                                                                             (i) In Hindi-speaking States

(a) Hindi (with Sanskrit as part of a composite course)

(b) Hindi or any other modern Indian language excluding (a); and

(c) English or any other modern European language.

(ii)In non-Hindi speaking States

(a) Regional language

(b) Hindi

(c) Urdu or any other modern Indian language excluding (a) and (b)

(d) English or any other modern European language.

4. Special arrangements should be made by State Governments particularly in UP, Bihar and West Bengal for training of Urdu teachers.

5. State Governments must ensure that all Urdu text-books are made available in the market well before the beginning of the academic session.

6. Facilities for use of Urdu for official purposes should be provided in all concentration of 10% and above down to tehsil, block and ward level.

7. Frequency of Urdu Radio programmes ... should be stepped up ... Development features and national programmes should be broadcast in Urdu also.

In the past, Urdu has suffered grievously because the executive of Government's policies relating thereto has been tardy, apathetic, listless and sometimes even adverse. It is, therefore, submitted that the implementation ... should be closed monitored by the authorities at various levels (and) the representatives of the intended beneficiaries are associated with it ... It is suggested that, where necessary, funds should be provided by the Centre to the concerned State GovTs.

A fair and firm Urdu policy would remove the grievances and frustration of the Urdu-speaking population which number about 30 million (despite under-enumeration). It will also have a very reassuring and morale-boosting impact on another about 90 million people who are deeply attached to this language ... Effective steps for promotion of Urdu will also greatly help the growth of Indian culture ...

Saiyid Hamid              Jagan Nath Azad                     Raj Bahadur Gaur

M. Afzal                      S. Rehman Kidwai                  Khaliq Anjum & 3 others