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Hindi Must Not Be Imposed

By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2022-04-12 03:29:32

About the Author

Sunil Garodia The India Commentary view

There is no doubt that among all the languages spoken in India, Hindi is used by the maximum number of people. But the fact is that more than 50 percent of Indians do not speak Hindi, let alone write or understand written Hindi. Since Hindi is the official language of the nation, it is used in government departments but it is not, and cannot be used, as the sole official language for the simple reason that half of India does not understand it.

Home minister Amit Shah’s recent statement that all Indians must learn Hindi can be viewed in two ways. If Hindi is imposed by making it compulsory, many states will not accept it. If it is kept optional, many states who do not accept will continue to give an option to students in their states to learn it. Hence, the Centre must not think of imposing Hindi on anyone by making it compulsory. After all the protests over the years on the issue, this is not the right time to raise it again. India is comfortable with the three language formula - English, Hindi and the regional language in respective states. That serves the purpose well as the locals can get their work done in their language while outstation people can use either Hindi or English as per their convenience. After Shah's remarks, southern and north-eastern states have lodged strong protests.

Language is a sensitive issue. The southern states have always thought that north Indians wish to impose Hindi on them. So do some other states. Each language in India is rich and should be respected. One feels that more than promoting Hindi, the BJP has a problem with English which it thinks is a vestige of the colonial years, promotes elitism and must not be used in India. But English cannot be wished away as it has become the link language, whether the BJP likes it or not. Since India is a multilingual country resentment must not be fanned by forcing people to learn and work in Hindi. Individual choice must be supreme and the three language formula is best. 

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