Urdu a language of humanity, depicts Secularism: Prof Mattoo

Urdu has played a very important role in the freedom struggle of India, asserted Professor Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor of Jammu University (JU). "The electrifying speeches delivered by some of our prominent leaders like Gandhiji, Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad, were in Urdu. The slogan that used to echo in the whole country – "Inquilab – Zindabad" has nothing but two words in Urdu. These two simple words were enough to bring about a powerful ‘revolution’ " Prof. Mattoo said .
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo said this while releasing Urdu Book "Secular Character of Urdu Language" in University Committee Room.
The book has been Compiled by Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik. Prof. Reyaz Punjabi Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir and Ved Bhasin Chairman Kashmir Times Group of publication presided over the function.
Prof. Mattoo while reciting Verse of a Gazal, said "Sarfaroshi ki Tamanna Ab Hamarey Dil Mein Hai, Dekhna Hai Zor Kitna Bazu-e-Qaatil Mei Hai " was recited by our martyrs like Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaq Ullah Khan while they happily welcomed their death sentence. "Urdu journalism was the basic media that used to regulate the struggle for independence. The sheer number of Urdu publications during the Indian Freedom struggle can speak for it. Newspapers and magazines were started to support the freedom struggle- Khilafat, Siasat, Ujala, Taj, Roznama-e-Hind, Ajmal, Hilal, Milap, Partap, Tej, Qaumi Awaz, Jung, Anjam, Inqualab, Nawa-e-Waqt, Hindustan, Aftab, Jumhuriat, Nadeem, Iqbal, Asr-e-Jadeed, Azad-e-Hind, Sandesh, Vakeel, Khidmat, Musalman, Azad, Paswan Weer Bharat and Al-Jamiath," Prof. Amitabh Mattoo said adding that even Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru started Qaumi Awaz from Lucknow in 1945. The reason would surely been his awareness of the fact that Urdu was a language of the masses of the country.
Described Urdu language "The language of Humanity" Prof. Mattoo said "It is the voice of all the people of India because from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari it is a link language.
He referred Munshi Prem Chand, Rattan Nath Sarshar, Rajinder Singh Bedi and Other writers who in their writings had spread love, brotherhood and national integration. Urdu had a relation with Khari Bhasha, then Gujrat,Bejapur, Aurangabad and lucknow became important centres of Urdu language. "Why Urdu is being related with one religion we know but if we have to save Urdu language we must review the secular character of Urdu language and Prof. Shohab’s book is first step in this record. He complimented the author for bringing this book at a right time.
In his Presidential address Ved Bhasin said that communal forces are trying their best to bifurcate the state on religion basis which according to Bhasin could not achieve this goal. They are also linking Urdu language with one particular community which is totally wrong. commenting on the book Bhasin said that it tells us that how Urdu has been developed a secular language as writers of other communities had equally flourish the Urdu language and due to their efforts today Urdu had become one of the major language of the state added Bhasin. He further said that book tells us what role Urdu Had played in the freedom struggle of India. It was the Urdu verses which inspire people irrespective of caste, colour and creed for freedom struggle.
Prof. Reyaz Punjabi Vice chancellor, Kashmir University said that though Urdu is a official language of the state but it is being given step motherly treatment by state Govt.