The Supreme Court has emphasized that language should not be equated with religion, stating that associating Urdu exclusively with Muslims reflects a "pitiable digression" from the principles of reality and India's unity in diversity.

The observation came while dismissing a petition challenging the display of Urdu on the nameboard of a municipal council in Maharashtra.

The bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K. Vinod Chandran was hearing a petition filed by Varshatai Sanjay Bagade, a former councillor from Patur in Akola district.

Bagade had objected to the inclusion of Urdu on the municipal signboard, arguing that administrative work should be conducted exclusively in Marathi and that the use of Urdu, even on signage, was not permissible. Her petition had earlier been dismissed by both the municipal council and the Bombay High Court, prompting her to approach the Supreme Court.

In its judgment, the top court underscored the cultural essence of language. “Language is not religion, and it does not represent religion. It belongs to communities and regions—not to faiths. Language is culture and reflects the civilizational progress of a people. Urdu, in particular, is a product of the Ganga-Jamuni or Hindustani culture—India’s composite heritage,” the court said.

The court noted that the municipal council retained Urdu on the signboard simply to communicate effectively with residents, many of whom are Urdu speakers. “The council’s intention was only to ensure clear communication,” it observed.

Rejecting the notion that Urdu is alien to India, the bench pointed out that Urdu, like Marathi and Hindi, is an Indo-Aryan language that evolved within the Indian subcontinent. “It emerged from the necessity of interaction among people of diverse cultural backgrounds. Over time, it became a refined and expressive language embraced by celebrated poets.”

The court also highlighted how deeply Urdu is embedded in everyday speech, especially in Hindi. “Even a basic Hindi conversation is incomplete without words derived from Urdu. Ironically, the word ‘Hindi’ itself has Persian roots,” it said.

Tracing historical developments, the bench remarked on how colonial strategies and linguistic purism led to an artificial division—Hindi came to be viewed as the language of Hindus and Urdu of Muslims. “This division is an unfortunate distortion of truth, a break from the ethos of inclusivity and brotherhood that defines our nation,” the court observed.

On the legal front, the Supreme Court clarified that the use of Urdu does not violate the Maharashtra Local Authorities (Official Languages) Act, 2022, which mandates Marathi on government signboards. “There is no prohibition on the use of any additional language, including Urdu, under the 2022 Act or any other law,” the court said.

Reinforcing its message of linguistic harmony, the court concluded: “Language should serve as a bridge, not a barrier. If a section of the local population understands Urdu, using it on the signboard alongside Marathi poses no harm. Our prejudices must be tested against the reality of India’s diversity. Let us make friends with Urdu—and with every language.”

With these observations, the court dismissed the petition, affirming the Bombay High Court’s decision and reiterating the inclusive spirit of Indian multilingualism