Mathura Junction signage controversy over Urdu script

A controversy has emerged at Mathura Junction railway station in Uttar Pradesh regarding the presence of Urdu script on station name signage. A video circulating on social media shows an individual, identified as Gautam Ravariya, an activist reportedly associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, objecting to the use of Urdu.

Ravariya appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to have the Urdu text removed, claiming that Urdu is not a national language of the country. During the protest, several individuals present at the station premises chanted religious slogans related to Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura.

While the protest highlights local tensions, constitutional facts note that while Hindi is the official language of the Union, Urdu is one of the 22 languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Railway stations typically display names in multiple languages based on regional and administrative requirements.