The 1972 Sindh language bill designated Sindhi as the sole official provincial language, triggering ethnic violence between Sindhi and Urdu-speaking communities.
Key Facts
- Date of bill passage
- 7 July 1972
- Legislation
- Sindhi Teaching, Promotion and Use of Sindhi Language Bill, 1972
- Language designated official
- Sindhi
- Affected newspaper
- Daily Jang (Urdu-language, Karachi)
- Banner quote author
- Rais Amrohvi
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Tensions between Sindhi-speaking and Urdu-speaking communities in Sindh had long simmered over language status. The Sindh Assembly moved to legislate official recognition of Sindhi, excluding Urdu, which had been widely used in urban centres like Karachi among Muhajir migrants.
On 7 July 1972, the Sindh Assembly passed the Sindhi Teaching, Promotion and Use of Sindhi Language Bill, 1972, declaring Sindhi the sole official language of the province. The legislation immediately provoked language-based violence across Sindh between Sindhi and Urdu-speaking residents.
The bill's passage inflamed communal tensions and sparked widespread language riots in Sindh. The Urdu-language Daily Jang published a provocative front-page banner by poet Rais Amrohvi lamenting the perceived displacement of Urdu, reflecting deep resentment among Urdu speakers that persisted for years.
Political Outcome
Sindhi declared sole official language of Sindh province, triggering communal language violence
Urdu and Sindhi both used in provincial administration
Sindhi designated sole official language of Sindh under the 1972 bill