Poll kaleidoscope through Urdu newspapers

  • | Friday | 19th October, 2018

However, Urdu newspapers do not have the same impact as before," says senior BJP leader and former MP Kailash Sarang. Rewa, Indore, Burhanpur, Bhopal, Betul, Khandwa and Sironj are some of the regions where Muslim votes can be a deciding factor.In Madhya Pradesh , there are less than 10 Urdu newspapers that matter. But elections are when the Urdu media becomes a talking point in the land of Begum Nawabs.This is when Urdu newspapers step beyond regular coverage of government departments like Hajj committee, Masajid committee and MP Waqf Board to talk of issues that concern the community. BHOPAL: Once the official language of Bhopal State , Urdu has witnessed such a downside that most of the Urdu-speaking population cannot read the language. "Once in a while, an article published in an Urdu newspaper and later replicated in other language newspapers can affect the electoral prospect of a candidate," remarks author and historian Rizwanuddin Ansari.

BHOPAL: Once the official language of Bhopal State , Urdu has witnessed such a downside that most of the Urdu-speaking population cannot read the language. But elections are when the Urdu media becomes a talking point in the land of Begum Nawabs.This is when Urdu newspapers step beyond regular coverage of government departments like Hajj committee, Masajid committee and MP Waqf Board to talk of issues that concern the community. And one has already sparked a debate by highlighting the need for minorities to think beyond the popular perception that they "may not have much option other than Congress".Muslims comprise about 6.6% of MP's population but can be a significant factor during elections in districts where they number more than 10%, like Bhopal (22%), Burhanpur (24%), Shajapur (14%) and Ratlam and Vidisha (10% each). A recent edit piece in 'Daily Nadeem' has stirred the political cauldron, urging Muslims to "keep their options open" and "look beyond Congress as the only alternative". Rewa, Indore, Burhanpur, Bhopal, Betul, Khandwa and Sironj are some of the regions where Muslim votes can be a deciding factor.In Madhya Pradesh , there are less than 10 Urdu newspapers that matter. Most of them are eight-pagers and not all-colour. Seldom does an article spark a debate as this edit piece. "Urdu news is taken seriously by those who matter. Readership may have declined, but it does spark conservations," said Daily Nadeem journalist Mushaid Saeed Khan. Veteran journalist and Nadeem's special correspondent Arif Aziz admits the reach of Urdu is limited. "Ultimately it boils down to average issues affecting any Indian - safety, health, education and development," said Aziz, a journalist for 42 years."Once in a while, an article published in an Urdu newspaper and later replicated in other language newspapers can affect the electoral prospect of a candidate," remarks author and historian Rizwanuddin Ansari. "Mein Urdu Se Mohabbat Karta Hoon. There is no language that is more expressive than Urdu. However, Urdu newspapers do not have the same impact as before," says senior BJP leader and former MP Kailash Sarang."Urdu papers have a niche readership that cannot be ignored. They understand the pulse of the community," says MP Waqf Board chairman Shoukat Mohammed Khan, said to be a front-runner for a BJP ticket from Bhopal North.

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