Bazm-e-Sahafat: Urdu Must Adapt To Changing Times And Technology, Says Shahid Siddiqui

Former MP Shahid Siddiqui has called for Urdu to embrace technology and adapt to changing times, arguing that the language must evolve to remain relevant in modern India.

Speaking at the Bharat Express Urdu Conclave on the changing character of language in New India, Siddiqui said Urdu cannot be restricted to a single script or traditional methods of communication. He cited Punjabi as an example, noting that the language retains its identity when written in Devanagari, Gurmukhi, Urdu or Roman scripts.

Siddiqui pointed to the popularity of events such as Jashn-e-Rekhta, saying they demonstrate Urdu’s continuing connection with ordinary people.

Recalling the evolution of Indian media, Siddiqui said Doordarshan’s strong emphasis on highly Sanskritised Hindi in the 1970s led to a decline in the use of Urdu words and affected viewership. In the 1980s, the adoption of Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of Hindustani helped establish a more accessible form of everyday language that later became an important feature of Indian media.

Siddiqui recalled growing up around Urdu newspaper offices and the traditional practice of calligraphy, or kitabt. He said the language faced greater risks if it resisted technological change.

Traditional kitabt centres underwent a transformation into Urdu computer training centres, helping preserve the language while preparing it for digital publishing.

Siddiqui recalled early challenges in Urdu computing, including font and formatting problems involving Shahkar and InPage. Issues such as excessive line spacing and overlapping characters led to changes in Nastaliq conventions, including adjustments to the central form of Qaaf and the size of dots.

Siddiqui said Urdu’s biggest challenge is resistance to change. He stressed that combining its heritage with technology, innovation and modern journalism can help secure its future and strengthen its contribution to Viksit Bharat 2047.

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