The Telangana High Court has directed the Election Commission of India to consider issuing election-related forms in Urdu, responding to a petition highlighting language barriers for Urdu-speaking voters. The court's observation came during a hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Siasat Daily, a Hyderabad-based newspaper, which argued that the absence of Urdu forms disenfranchises a significant portion of the electorate.
Justice P. Naveen Rao, presiding over the case, remarked that the Election Commission should examine the feasibility of providing forms in Urdu, given its status as a second official language in Telangana. The court noted that similar provisions exist in other states and urged the EC to take a pragmatic approach to ensure inclusive participation in the electoral process.
The Election Commission has been given four weeks to file a response. The next hearing is scheduled for August 2026. The PIL specifically requested forms for voter registration, correction of entries, and other electoral services in Urdu, citing the large Urdu-speaking population in Hyderabad and other parts of the state.
