Gandhiji's Rationale in Harijan, 26 April, 1942

I admit that in asking people to learn the Persian script I have at the back of my mind a contribution to Hindu-Muslin. unity. There has been a longstanding conflict between the Hindi and Urdu tongues as between the two scripts. Today it has assumed a virulent form. In 1935, in Indore the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, while defining Hindi, gave a definite place to the Persian script. In 1925, the Congress gave the national language the name of Hindustani. Both scripts were made permissible .. Thus, Hindi plus Urdu was recognized as the national language.  The question of Hindu-Muslim unity was definitely in the forefront in all these decisions ... If we want to develop the national language to the fullest extent, it behoves us to give the two scripts an equal status. In the end whichever is appreciated more by the people will be the more widespread.

The provincial languages are closely allied to Sanskrit, and it is true that lacs of Muslims are conversant only with their provincial languages, and that Hindi and the Devanagari script will, therefore, be easier for them to learn than Urdu and the Persian characters. My scheme will not interfere with this. In fact the people will benefit more than ever by learning the Persian script. Your trouble arises because you look upon this as a burden. Whether it is a gain or a burden depends on the outlook of the learner. He who is filled with a love of country will never consider such learning a burden. There will be no compulsion by my scheme. Only those who consider it a gain will learn the Persian script or the Devanagari as the case may be ...

The question of everyone learning Hindustani does not arise. Indeed everyone will never do so. The necessity is for those who have to travel and those who want to serve. The latter's ability for service will be greatly increased by a knowledge of both languages and scripts. If you agree, your opposition and suspicion should subside.

In my eyes he who knows only one of the languages and one script will be half-equipped ... And unless this number goes on increasing there will never be a proper blending of Hindi and Urdu. The Congress ideal of Hindustani will never be fulfilled. That Hindus and Mussalmans in the Hindi-knowing provinces should have a common speech is a consummation devoutly to be wished. Many of us cling to this hope, and some day it will certainly come to pass.

There is no question of giving up anything that is ours by tradition. It is a question of adding to or improving what already exists. If I know Sanskrit, what harm if I learn Arabic too, or vice versa? .The result will probably be an enrichment of my knowledge of either language. And my contacts with the Arabs or Hindus, as the case may be, will increase. Surely there can be no opposition to the acquiring or right knowledge in any sphere ... Devanagari is not to be displaced. It is a question of adding to the existing knowledge.

English no doubt is the international language. But can it ever be our national language? The latter must be the common property of millions of our people. How can they sustain the burden of learning the English tongue? Hindustani is the natural national language, for it is  already understood by 21 crores. The remainder of the population can also easily understand it. But English may be said to be the mother tongue of a mere handful - say, a lac at the most. If India is a nation, it must have a national language. English will appropriately remain the international language with the Roman script. But the latter can never be the script of the national language.

Urdu in Railways

Shahabuddin's Letter to Minister for Railways, 8 November, 1999

The Ministry of Railways had some years back decided that the Railway Stations located in those districts with a substantial Urdu-speaking population, the Name Boards on the platform will carry the names in Urdu also.

Unfortunately, the decision has not been implemented in full and wherever it has been, it is marred by wrong spelling and poor calligraphy.

I request you to instruct the Railway Board to have names in Urdu, wherever applicable and to have them properly spelt and calligraphed.

Minister for Railway's Reply

I am in receipt of your letter dated 81 November, 1999 regarding implementation of Railway Board's earlier decision to have name boards on the platforms in Urdu at stations located in the districts with a substantial Urdu- speaking population. I am having the matter examined.

(Source: M/Railways Letter No. MR/B/624/99 dated 17 November, 1999 to S. Shahabuddin)