Several Urdu journalists in Delhi have accused the government of discrimination after they were allegedly excluded from the Delhi government’s “Diwali Mangal Milan” event with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on October 13, The Wire reported. The event, held at Ashoka Hotel, was organised by the Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) as a special interaction between the chief minister and journalists from print and electronic media. All Delhi cabinet ministers attended the gathering.
However, Urdu media journalists said they were not invited, calling it an unprecedented act of “step-motherly treatment.” Invitations were reportedly sent through WhatsApp by DIP director Sushil Singh, and attendance was considered mandatory for invitees. Urdu journalists argue this deliberate exclusion reflects government-level bias against them and the Urdu language.
Veteran journalist and editor of Hamara Samaj, Sadiq Sherwani, told The Wire that even during previous BJP administrations in Delhi, such as those led by Madan Lal Khurana and Sushma Swaraj, the Urdu media was never sidelined. “This is the first time the Urdu media has faced such neglect. The BJP now wants to project Urdu as the language of Muslims, even though it’s not,” he said, calling it part of a broader political message ahead of elections in Bihar.
Former Delhi minister and AAP leader Imran Hussain also criticised the move, calling it “communal politics.” He said, “The step-motherly treatment of Urdu journalists will not be accepted. This shows how far the BJP is willing to go in spreading hate and division.”
Senior journalist Sanjay Goyal questioned the government’s decision, noting that Urdu is Delhi’s second official language. “Even during the earlier BJP governments in the 1990s, we never saw such bias,” he said.
Farhan Yahya from Hindustan Express shared similar concerns, saying, “I have covered every government since 2007, and no one ever excluded Urdu journalists based on language. This is not just about Urdu — it’s about dividing journalists.” He confirmed that Urdu journalists plan to meet Delhi’s lieutenant governor to raise the issue.
Author and senior journalist Masoom Moradabadi said the move reflects a larger pattern. “The government’s treatment of Urdu mirrors its attitude toward Urdu journalists and newspapers. Journalism goes beyond language, but prejudice has now become policy,” he told The Wire.
Hindustan Express news editor Shahid-ul-Islam described it as “agenda-driven politics.” He added, “If the BJP government wants to divide journalists based on religion, it’s no surprise. This discrimination has become routine under their rule.”
During the October 13 event, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was seen interacting with journalists at each table. Reports said some journalists initially weren’t allowed to take photos with her but did so later after objections. Some also reportedly raised concerns about the non-renewal of the DIP Accreditation Committee.
As of now, the Delhi government has not issued a formal clarification.
