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Caste politics over Urdu Day in Bihar

By TwoCircles.net staff reporter

Patna: The politics has started on celebration of Urdu Day. Dr Ejaz Ali and his supporters are going to organize a function on 10th January 2008 in Sri Krishna Memorial Hall Patna to mark Ghulam Sarwer’s birth day as Urdu Day and to compel the state Government to accept this day as Urdu Day. On the other hand many organisations are opposing strongly that Urdu should not be linked with any caste and creed and Urdu Day also should not be celebrated on the basis of casteism.

Late Ghulam Sarwar is former speaker of the Bihar Assembly and was a minister in Rabri Devi government. He is considered as a champion of backward Muslims.

A joint press conference by the former Chief Minister and senior leader of JD(U) Dr Jagannath Mishra was held today which was participated by representatives of different organisations such as President of National Minority Commission Dr I.A. Khan, President of Urdu Council of India Shumail Nabi, acting President of Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Bihar Dr R. Asri, opposed the Government’s action to celebrate Ghulam Sarwar’s birth day as Urdu Day and it is announced that there should not be any politics with Urdu language. To celebrate Urdu Day on caste basis will not be accepted by the people of Bihar and any organisation.

Addressing the press conference Dr. Mishra told that Dr. A.R. Kidwai former Governor of Bihar passed an ordinance on 19th November 1980 under article 345 of Indian constitution to accept Urdu as second official language of Bihar. This is why 19th November should be celebrated as Urdu Day. Dr Mishra demanded the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to announce 19th November as Urdu Day officially.

He put following demands before the government which are as follows- appointment should be made on the seats of Urdu translators lying vacant for the past few years, provide Urdu type writers in each government offices on block, subdivision and district commissionary level, appoint Urdu Director in Raj Bhasha Department, establish Urdu Council in Raj Bhasha Department, accept madrasa degrees, diplomas as secondary and college degree and diploma.

Speaking at the press conference Shumail-e-Nabi supported Mr. Mishra and advocated that Urdu Day must be celebrated on 19th November without mixing the occasion with any cast and creed.