Patna: Though Urdu became second official language in Bihar in 1981 during the regime of Dr. Jagannath Mishra, unfortunately it is yet to enjoy this status fully as the order mostly remained on paper. Bihar Awami Urdu Nifaz Committee launched a state wide movement in Patna today against the discrimination with Urdu.
More than a quarter century after the order, today one can hardly find Urdu knowing officers in government offices. The reason is that Urdu knowing officers and workers have not been appointed for a long time after retirement of previous officers.
Moreover, the officers who have been appointed as Urdu officers have been directed to perform other work not related to Urdu.
The Bihar Awami Urdu Nifaz Committee held a peaceful and non-political agitation at Kargil Chowk in Patna on 21st July and demanded full implementation of the order making Urdu the second official language of the state.
Ashraf Asthanvi, the convener of the Committee, said that this is not a movement of any particular party, organization and religion but it is of all those who have space for Urdu in their hearts.
Talking to TwoCircles.net Mr. Ashraf Asthanvi said: “Though Urdu language has been accepted as secondary official language by the government it is yet to get its place in offices from the assembly to secretariat to block level. Urdu Teachers and professors are not being appointed in schools, colleges and universities for the posts fallen vacant.”
Asked about the purpose of the agitation he said: “We want complete implementation of the recommendation made by government in 1981 and legal action against those offices that put barrier in the way of Urdu” said Mr. Ashraf.
On the future course of action of the committee, he said: “We are going to launch a state-wide agitation which has been started today. We will hold programs in every district of the state and form committees at districts level. Soon we will organize a big program in Gandhi Maidan, Patna wherein Urdu loving people will participate in large number from all parts of the state then we will submit memorandum to the honorable governor of the state demanding immediate action regarding this aspect.”
Mr. Mubarak Hussain, president of Bihar Urdu Molazmieen Union, told TCN: “Every government that came to power in the state took some decision in favor of Urdu but some narrow-minded officers did not let them implement and we Urdu speakers have been silent. Two years back Nitish kumar government ordered to establish Urdu Training Centers in all the districts to train those officers who are unaware of Urdu. In Patna the office for the center was established but soon after it was transferred into storeroom where garbage are being put.”
“In 1995 government separated Urdu directorate but unfortunately its director was not given power as head of the department which means he can not take action against those officers who commit mistakes and also he can not reward to those who do any appreciable work. This made it meaningless” Mr. Mubarak Hussain said.
Addressing the program, Advocate Mr. Shakeel Ahsan said “It was our fault that we could not move to implement the decision taken by government about Urdu. But I am happy that we started a movement under the banner of Awami Urdu Nifaz committee so we request them not to stop it here but go with it to every street of the state till our purpose is served.”
“Urdu is not the language of Muslims but it is the language of India which has played a vital role in freedom of the country but because of discrimination of some officers Urdu was pushed aside in every field” said Mr. Bari Azmi, a Congress leader.
Mr. Arshad, a social activist, said: “We should make the problems of Urdu a political issue and demand parties to solve that in exchange of votes. We should also gather youths to empower our movement.”
On the occasion Mr. Ashraf Asthanvi informed people that on 5th June 2009 then Bihar governor Mr. R.L Bhatia sent a latter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar about implementation of Urdu at official level. Mr. Nitish Kumar after having a glance on the latter on 10th June 2009 sent it to chief sectary and chief secretary forwarded this latter on 11th June 2009 to chief of the Urdu directorate Mr. Gresh Shanker. But after that where the latter has gone no one knows. When Mr. Gresh Shanker was asked about that he denied and said he did not receive any such latter.
