Urdu is an Indian language, says Murli Manohar Joshi

Amid the growing debate over languages ​​in both politics and education, senior BJP leader and former Human Resource Development Minister (HRD) Murli Manohar Joshi on Thursday (July 2, 2026) maintained that Urdu is an Indian language and did not originate from outside the country.

Mr. Joshi also praised the efforts made during the NDA government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to encourage Indian Muslims to read the Quran in Urdu instead of Arabic.

“Even Bengali, the national language of Bangladesh, originates from the Indian subcontinent,” he added.

Mr. Joshi was addressing a program organized by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in the presence of Kanchi Shankaracharya Vijayendra Saraswati, who announced the launch of a ‘Sanjhiwalta’ campaign in Punjab to promote Hindu-Sikh unity.

Shankaracharya also stated that Hindus and Sikhs share a common spiritual heritage and announced the establishment of a foundation to undertake temple renovation and related activities in Punjab.

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Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is trying to expand its aid in Punjab amid concerns over alleged conversions. The proposals include restoring and maintaining temples, preserving historic places of worship, holding larger religious events and encouraging closer ties between Hindus and Sikhs. Sources said the talks also covered demographic trends and measures to deter religious conversion.

VHP chief Alok Kumar said what he described as “cultural infiltration” was a long-term challenge. He said the erosion of traditional practices should be addressed not only through politics but through religious and cultural institutions.