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| Why did Maharaja Hari Singh promote Urdu? | | Jora, Qureshi better know | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 6: Autocratic Hari Singh was a better administrator than the present day `democratically elected' representatives of the public. This was proved yet again Monday on the floor of he legislative assembly during a verbal dual between Rashid Qureshi and Rigzin Jora.
Qureshi lamented what he called miserable plight of Urdu which happens to be the official language of the state. Replying to his queries, Jora said enough had been done to promote Urdu in the state.
The dual evoked mixed reaction ranging from critical to scornful from Urdu lovers in the state. According to them, Urdu has unfortunately been connected to Islam and the Muslims. This perhaps, they believe, is the reason behind Urdu's slow but sure demise in the country.
Fortunately, Maharaja Hari Singh never perceived Urdu in this perspective. Instead, he made Urdu the official language of the state. Thorough study of state's diverse cultures, religions, languages, history, geography and other dynamics force one to appreciate Hari Singh's wisdom.
The all powerful ruler could have easily made Dogri the official language of the state. But he did not nurture chauvinistic tendencies. He had understood that Urdu alone could hold the state together. Urdu is spoken in Kashmir and Jammu. It is understood in Ladakh region as well. The people living in areas now under the administrative control of Pakistan also understand and speak Urdu. This is the common factor in a heterogeneous state.
Promoting Urdu, therefore, is a political compulsion for all those who want to see the state united. Strong voices demanding division of the historic state have been heard at various places.
Much damage has already been done to the state's unity during the past two years in particular. A strong binding factor, therefore, is desperately needed to defeat the nefarious designs of unscrupulous elements that are bent upon deepening the wedge between various regions of the state. What can be the binding force? The people of the state profess different faiths, have different cultures, speak different languages and have different life styles. But Urdu is common. It is purely secular. Save Urdu for holding the state together. Promote Urdu for bridging the gap between various regions of the state.
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