SDPI demands official language status for Urdu in Karnataka

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has called on the Karnataka government to grant official language status to Urdu. This demand follows a recent state Cabinet decision to recognize Tulu as a second additional administrative language in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

SDPI Karnataka State General Secretary Afsar Kodlipete stated that while the party welcomes the recognition of Tulu, the government must show similar commitment to Urdu and Urdu-medium education. Kodlipete cited 2011 Census data, noting that Urdu speakers accounted for 66 per cent of the recorded population in the relevant mother-tongue category, compared to 16 per cent for Tulu speakers in the state.

Kodlipete also raised concerns regarding long-standing vacancies in Urdu-medium schools and the recruitment of teachers for linguistic-minority institutions. He noted that other Indian states, such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, have already granted official status or recognition to Urdu.