Shabbir Ali hails Urdu journalists, urges community to strengthen language and identity
Hyderabad: Advisor to the Telangana Government, Mohammed Ali Shabbir, on Saturday lauded the efforts of Urdu journalists for their commitment to preserving the language, calling their work a meaningful resistance in times of official and social neglect. He was speaking at the Urdu Journalist Awards function organised by the Telangana Urdu Working Journalist Federation (TUWJF) at the Basheerbagh Press Club.
In his address, Shabbir Ali said, “At a time when institutional support for Urdu is weakening, you have taken up the pen to keep the language alive. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to all of you.”
He warned that the threat to Urdu was no longer limited to policy alone. “The real enemy lies in the lack of functional support – there are no proper Urdu translations, and even in places like tehsil offices, Urdu is disappearing,” he said. Citing a recent instance, he pointed out, “Out of 450 applications in one mandal, only 17 were from Urdu students. This is the reality today.”
Shabbir Ali recalled that when he took oath as minister for the first time in 1989, he insisted on taking the oath in Urdu. Since the Urdu copy was not available, the then Governor Krishnakanth and Chief Minister Dr Marri Chenna Reddy got the oath translated from English to Urdu with the help of senior journalist M.A. Majid during the cabinet ceremony. He took the oath using that handwritten Urdu copy. “If we don’t assert our linguistic rights, no one else will fight for us,” he said.
Expressing concern over the education system, he criticised the practice of Urdu lecturers and teachers enrolling their children in other mediums. “When those who teach Urdu don’t trust it for their own children, what future does the language have? This hypocrisy must end,” he said.
He also expressed disappointment over the community’s growing detachment from Urdu, stating, “We have eaten from the hands of Urdu, yet today we are abandoning it. This is not just neglect—it is betrayal.” He added that some private schools avoid even displaying Urdu results on notice boards, which reflects a deeper disregard for the language.
Shabbir Ali underscored the need for the community to show greater seriousness in preserving Urdu. He said that Urdu speakers must prioritise using the language at home, in schools, and in official correspondence.
Referring to the national context, he mentioned that Muslims across India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, had unequivocally condemned terrorism and stood firmly with the country. He praised the Indian armed forces for their constant vigilance and successful response to enemy provocations and said all Indians, irrespective of their religion, caste, or language, must express solidarity in protecting the nation.
He further urged the community to stop relying solely on emotional responses and instead focus on education, awareness, and leadership. “We need to change the way we think, act, and raise our children,” he said, adding that the community must reconnect with Urdu in everyday life and treat it as a part of their cultural and national identity.
Shabbir Ali praised the organisers for conducting a purposeful and well-timed event. “You have done a commendable job. Programmes like this are vital to keeping our language and cultural identity alive,” he said.
The awards function was attended by AIMIM President & Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, TUWJF President M.A. Majid, senior Urdu journalists, editors, writers, and members of civil society. Awards were presented to journalists for their outstanding contributions in the field of Urdu media over the years. (Maxim News)
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