Netizens slam Sajal Aly for promoting Urdu in English
Sajal Aly has landed in hot water after her attempt to promote the Urdu language sparked a fierce backlash online.
What was meant to be a post promoting the national language was instead criticized for being delivered in English … the very language Urdu advocates often see as overshadowing the native tongue.
The online debate began when the superstar posted a message on her Instagram stories praising Bilal Maqsood’s ongoing efforts to revive Urdu, particularly through his content for children.
Sajal said, “Urdu is a beautiful language. It is high time we stop running away from it.
“It’s sad we shy away from it. It was always cool! Let’s OWN it, CELEBRATE IT and make it even more cooler.”
While the actress’s intention seemed genuine, many social media users were quick to rap her not only for writing the message in English but also for her awkward phrasing and grammatical mistakes.
The phrase ‘more cooler’ in particular became a target of mockery, with users accusing her of lacking the very linguistic finesse she was advocating for.
“Sajal goes for speaking English-Urdu lingo mix,” one user mocked. Another sarcastically questioned, “What If you want to promote Urdu, why not write in Urdu?”
One comment read, “It’s a big deal that you supported Urdu in English… What could be better for Urdu than this?”
Another jabbed, “I would like to salute you for this effort… Your words have become the last hope for Urdu.”
Critics even went as far as calling her an “idiot” and slamming her post as “nonsense.” Some alleged that her patriotic gesture was nothing more than a publicity stunt, especially considering that she remained silent during the recent Indo-Pak tensions, a move that had already drawn criticism from nationalistic quarters.
Still, not everyone was hostile. Her fans come to defend Sajal, acknowledging her support for Urdu even if her method wasn’t perfect. “@bilalxmaqsood bohat acha kaam kar rahe hain Urdu ke liye!” one fan wrote, shifting focus back to Bilal Maqsood’s campaign.
The debate soon extended to other young actors. Actress Aina Asif was dragged into the discussion, with one user stating, “Aina Asif should learn proper Urdu and use correct pronunciations in her dramas. Directors need to step in.”
However, the uproar surrounding Sajal Aly’s post highlights the ongoing cultural tug-of-war in Pakistan between embracing modern, globalized communication and preserving national linguistic identity.
As younger celebrities continue to mix English and Urdu, purists fear that the national language may lose its value.