The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, Apr 16 ,2025 : In a significant ruling underscoring India’s commitment to linguistic diversity, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the inclusion of Urdu on municipal signboards in Maharashtra, dismissing a plea that opposed its presence alongside Marathi and English.
A Bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that the use of Urdu—spoken by a considerable section of the population in the state—is neither unconstitutional nor discriminatory. The Court emphasized that India’s strength lies in its vibrant cultural and linguistic pluralism, which should be visibly reflected in public governance.
The petitioner had contested the display of Urdu on a Municipal Council signboard in Maharashtra, asserting that only Marathi, the official state language, should be featured. It was further alleged that the use of Urdu was politically influenced and diminished the prominence of Marathi.
However, the Court firmly refuted these claims, stating, “India is inherently multilingual, and our Constitution safeguards this diversity. Displaying a language commonly spoken by local communities on public signage does not breach any constitutional or legal provisions.”
Justice Oka further highlighted that inclusive communication in public spaces strengthens national unity and cultivates a sense of belonging among different linguistic groups. “Urdu is one of the languages recognized under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Its usage in official signage is lawful and appropriate,” he remarked.
The Court also clarified that neither the Maharashtra Municipal Councils Act nor any other prevailing law prohibits municipalities from using additional languages on signboards—especially if it aids in effectively serving the public.
Reiterating the constitutional values of inclusion and cultural coexistence, the bench called on citizens to embrace and respect linguistic diversity rather than view it as a source of division.
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