BJP's Urdu Pamphlet Sparks Political Firestorm in Maharashtra
The Bharatiya Janata Party finds itself embroiled in a significant controversy after its candidates for municipal council elections in Uran, Maharashtra distributed campaign material printed entirely in Urdu. This development has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents who accuse the party of blatant hypocrisy and political opportunism.
Contradiction in Language Stance
The incident becomes particularly noteworthy considering the BJP's recent successful campaign against Urdu initiatives in Mumbai. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation recently scrapped an Urdu Learning Centre project in Byculla following large-scale protests organized by the BJP. This contradictory approach has become the central point of contention, with opposition parties questioning the party's consistency in language politics.
Images of the Urdu pamphlet quickly circulated on social media platforms, triggering immediate reactions from various political quarters. The controversy erupted on November 20, 2025, with the BJP maintaining complete silence about the allegations leveled against its candidates in the Raigad district.
Opposition Parties Launch Scathing Attacks
Leaders from multiple opposition parties seized the opportunity to criticize what they termed as the BJP's double standards. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena spokesperson Yogesh Chile delivered a particularly sharp rebuke, stating: "So this is the BJP's so-called hardcore Hindutva. On one hand, they hurl abuses at Muslims as a whole, and try to provoke Hindus against Muslims. On the other hand, they print pamphlets in Urdu to chase Muslim votes and give funds to madrassas."
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Waris Pathan echoed these sentiments through a social media post. He wrote: "Until yesterday, the BJP hated the Urdu language, linked it to an entire community, and used to spew all kinds of nonsense against those who spoke Urdu. Today, the same BJP is distributing pamphlets in Urdu for Muslim votes in the Uran Municipal Council elections in Maharashtra. They will do anything for votes."
Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh joined the criticism, specifically targeting BJP minister Nitesh Rane, who had previously advocated for using Marathi instead of Urdu in madrasas. Shaikh demanded to know Rane's position on his party colleagues using Urdu for electoral campaigning.
Strategic Move in Muslim-Dominated Constituency
Political analysts suggest the Urdu pamphlet represents a calculated political strategy rather than an oversight. Uran has a significant Muslim population, with the community holding decisive voting power in several pockets of the town. With civic polls approaching, the BJP appears to be making direct overtures to this crucial voter base despite the party's established position on Urdu language and its association with Hindutva politics.
The controversy highlights the complex dynamics of identity politics in Maharashtra, where language often serves as a potent symbol of cultural and religious identity. As the BJP remains silent on the matter, the episode continues to generate heated debate about political consistency and electoral strategy in India's diverse democratic landscape.
