Deterioration of Urdu in Bidar District is a matter of grief and concern for those who are working in the field of Urdu.
Urdu lovers raised their voice for getting the status of second language in the State of Karnataka in 1989. under the stewardship of late Sibghatullah Quadri, demands were made for publishing all the circulars of the Govt. in Urdu in accordance with the official Language Acts 1963 and 1981. This act guarantees that wherever there are more than 15% Urdu speakers, Urdu shall be used in all official transactions.
Govt. had started implementing Urdu since 1989. In 202, Govt. instructed to publish voters list in Urdu and to translate Govt. notices into Urdu. Taking advantage of this Act, Mr. Qamarul Islam assured the publication of voters list. In 1963 and 1990 Gazette was also published in Urdu.
Bidar, Humnabad, Cheetapur, Chincholi, and Bhatkal were declared as Urdu areas. It may be mentioned that Urdu movement was very active in 1993. on a call given by it nearly 25,000 Urdu lovers took out a procession but due to political interests, it was pelted stones and the persons were dispersed. The procession its were booked by the police under various sections of Indian Penal Code.
Representations were made to commissioner of Linguistic Minorities. It is very regrettable that Urdu lovers are silent these days. Those organizations which receive heavy grants in the name of promotion of Urdu have also become inactive.
There is a need to make cumulated and concerted efforts to get the right place for Urdu in Karnataka State.
——Siasat News