URDU

Question of Hindi Script for Urdu Language Letter in The Times of India, 9 June, 1996

Though Punjabi written in a common script on both sides of the 'border' will undoubtedly strengthen understanding between the two peoples the question is which of the two scripts - Persian or Gurmukhi – should be used? Punjabi written in Devnagari could be followed by a Hindi-speaking person with little effort. Indeed it would then be a variation of Hindi just as Bhojpuri, Brajbhasha and Magadhi would be different languages.

Hindi and Urdu too are siblings. Vote bank politics has made Urdu with the Arabic script a language of Muslims and Pakistan. The solution probably lies in adopting one of the major phonetic scripts of the sub-continent which would show how close our languages are to one another. - B.P.N. Singh

Shahabuddin's Letter to The Times of India, 10 June, 1997

There is no logical reason to identify a language with one script only. Indeed, in India and outside, there are several examples of more than one languages being written in the same script as of one language being written in more than one scripts.

However, a language has an organic evolution and the historic circumstances determine its actual development pattern.

Punjabi can well be written in both Gurumukhi andUrdu scripts. If the Indian State had followed Gandhiji's advise, Hindustani written in Devanagri and Urdu scripts would have been the official language of the Union. Bhojpuri, Magadhi and Brajbhasha may yet evolve into full-fledged languages either with the Devnagri or another script. In a multilingual State, it is not possible to prescribe a common script for all languages because of fear of absorption, Urdu language and script (which is neither Arabic nor Persian) will live and die together. In the meantime, let Urdu evolve freely as the linguistic expression of our composite culture which is also ever-evolving.

I was born in Ghulam Hindustan, am living in Azad Hindustan, and will die in Socialist Hindustan. - Kaifi Azmi 

I have noticed that many Indian writers of (the) younger generation are seriously obothered by the revival of Hindu fundamentalism. This is a healthy sing for I believe criticism of Hindu fundamentalism should come from writers who belong to this community. - Khushwant Singh.