Language shouldn't be a ground for extremism
Extremism, regardless of the cause it is cloaked in—even when it comes in the name of one’s mother tongue—is never justifiable. Language is more than a medium of communication; it is a source of emotional comfort and identity. It has the power to unite as well as divide. Declaring one’s language as superior and insisting it should be adopted by others reflects a dictatorial mindset. Such an approach must be opposed and defeated. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s emphasis on the importance of Hindi may be understandable within a certain context. However, the claim that speaking English in India is a matter of shame—particularly in states where Hindi is not the spoken language—is deeply problematic and cannot be accepted.
More than 20 states in India do not primarily speak Hindi, yet Hindi-speaking states send as many as 226 members to the 543-member Lok Sabha. The central government functions in Delhi, the heart of the Hindi-speaking belt. This has led to a longstanding argument that the language spoken by the majority should be accommodated by the minority as well. Whenever such views have been promoted, southern states—especially Tamil Nadu—have strongly resisted it. It was due to massive protests in Tamil Nadu that the 1963 Official Languages Act, which proposed making Hindi the national language, had to be put on hold.
Some Hindi proponents view English as a remnant of colonialism. However, this is not how it is seen in South India. For many in the South, English is the bridge language used to communicate once they step outside their home states. It connects not just individuals across states but also nations. English cannot be narrowly reduced to the language of colonisers. It is through English translations that we have accessed global literature and knowledge from languages far more difficult to learn. With the advent of email, Facebook, and other digital platforms, the global relevance of English has only increased. In India too, English proficiency is often a prerequisite for securing high-paying jobs. As a language, English carries with it a rich heritage and dignity. Dismissing it as a colonial relic contradicts India’s pluralistic ethos of unity in diversity. Unfortunately, language politics is often used for short-term political gain in India. But politicising language, like any other identity marker, only leads to division and harm.
Similarly, public comparisons of the ‘greatness’ of one language over another are inappropriate. Actor Kamal Haasan’s recent comments stirred controversy in Karnataka, proving how sensitive and potentially divisive such statements can be. One’s mother tongue is always special, but claiming it is superior to others reflects a narrow-minded worldview.
Interestingly, the new generation in China—which has achieved significant economic progress without relying on English—is now actively learning the language. This clearly shows that the global relevance of English is not diminishing; if anything, it is increasing. In India, for many children from economically challenged families, mastering English is often the only way to secure a better future. It is deeply concerning when those in positions of political power attempt to spread linguistic extremism. Language must never be turned into a weapon. Instead, it should be celebrated as a tool of connection and coexistence.