Owaisi Hails Urdu Journalism, Slams Pakistan for Disowning Its Own Language

Hyderabad, May 10: AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi hailed Urdu as a language of pride at the annual award function of the Telangana Urdu Working Journalists’ Federation (TUWJF), held at the Basheerbagh Press Club on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, Owaisi drew a sharp contrast between India and Pakistan on their treatment of Urdu, stating, “India recognizes Urdu among its 22 official languages, despite only 7% of the population speaking it” he said while adding that although Pakistani calls Urdu their language, it does not recognise it as the country’s official language.

Organized by TUWJF, the event felicitated senior Urdu journalists for their outstanding contributions to the field, honoring awardees for both 2023 and 2024. Owaisi presented awards named after prominent Urdu journalists – Faiz Mohammad Asghar, Habeeb Ali Jeelani, and Tabassum Fareedi, each carrying a citation and a cash prize of ₹10,000.

The awards were presented to Yaserullah Shakeel (4TV), Iftekhar Ali Wajid (Etemaad Daily), Nayeem Wajahath (Siasat), Mohammed Aleemuddin (photography), Shahid Ahmed Tawakkal (Adilababd), Waheed Gulshan (Warangal), Mohammed Asad (Karimnagar), and senior NRI photo journalist K.N.Wasif.

A Lifetime Achievement award was post-humously conferred upon former INN journalist Habeeb Ali Al Jeelani on this occasion.

Owaisi used the platform to also make bold political remarks, saying, “Pakistan is leaving no stone unturned to disturb peace in India and promote enmity between Hindus and Muslims. We must stand like a ‘wall of lead’ (referring to Pakistan’s naming of their retaliatory attack) against a nation that is a threat to the whole world. At some point, world leaders must decide whether a country like Pakistan should be allowed to keep nuclear weapons. They must be disarmed.”

The event saw participation from several dignitaries including Government of Telangana Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir, who condemned the acts of terrorism by Pakistan and saluted the Indian forces for its bravery.

He called upon Urdu journalists to actively participate in press briefings, conferences and other programs on par with national media houses. “Be relevant and present if you want to compete with national media houses or other vernacular media’, he advised.

Editor Gawah Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez, Telangana Urdu Working Journalists Federation (TUWJF) President M.A. Majid, General Secretary Ghouse Mohiuddin, Joint Secretary Mir Virahat Ali, Telangana State Media Academy Chairman K. Sreenivas Reddy, former Member Indian Journalists Union Devulapally Amar, former Minorities Commission Chairman Mohd Qamaruddin and senior Urdu journalists from different corners of the State were also present on this occasion.