New Delhi [India], April 17 (HBTV): The Supreme Court has held that the display of a language other than the official one of a state is not prohibited under any law in India, while dismissing a plea seeking the removal of an Urdu signboard of a municipal council in Maharashtra.

Upholding a decision of the Bombay High Court, a bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K Vinod Chandran dismissed the plea challenging an Urdu signboard placed beneath a Marathi signboard on a new building of the municipal council in Maharashtra's Akola.

'Our misconceptions, perhaps even our prejudices against a language, have to be courageously and truthfully tested against the reality, which is this great diversity of our nation: Our strength can never be our weakness. Let us make friends with Urdu and every language,' the bench stated in its judgement.

The plea had challenged the Bombay High Court's decision, which also ruled that the use of Urdu is not prohibited under any law in India.

The appellant contended that, under the Maharashtra Local Authorities (Official Languages) Act, 2022, the use of Urdu on the signboard of the municipal council is not permitted. However, the apex court rejected the argument, stating, 'The entire case of the appellant, to our mind, is based on a misconception of law. We see no reason, therefore, to interfere in the present case.'

Earlier this month, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that while advocating for the promotion of the Marathi language is acceptable, it must be done within the bounds of the law.

'There is nothing wrong with agitating for Marathi in Maharashtra. Even the government believes that the use of Marathi should be promoted. But if someone takes the law in their hands, action needs to be taken against them,' Fadnavis said.

(ANI)