Many have expressed concerns that the language craze of some of those ruling the Centre will lead to another language riot in the country. The current controversies erupted after a parliamentary panel recommended making the Hindi language the medium of exams for central services and making it a compulsory study language in educational institutions. This recommendation has great relevance as it belongs to the Committee of Parliament on Official Language. The committee is chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is a staunch Hindi supporter. Therefore, one cannot rule out the possibility of the committee's recommendation getting considered.

Various southern states have already raised protests against the recommendation of the language committee. Tamil Nadu, which has always been at the forefront of the agitation against the imposition of Hindi, has opposed this move from the very beginning. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to the Centre asking it not to take any step which will destroy the unity of the country. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his deep displeasure.

The parliamentary panel had recommended to make the Hindi language the medium of exams for central services and make it a compulsory study language in educational institutions incl IITs and IIMs. The parliamentary committee has ignited the language riot without even considering how the approach of not wanting those who do not know Hindi in the central service can be practical in a country like India where there are many languages. The Constitution recognises 22 different languages. No one can say that any of these is inferior to the others. All are given equal consideration. Giving too much importance to Hindi, which is only one of these, will be considered discrimination by other speakers. The argument that Hindi should be made the main language in higher education institutions and jobs, just because most people are speaking Hindi, may lead to unnecessary controversies and fierce protests. Many people may remember the anti-Hindi movement that took place decades ago in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. If Hindi is made mandatory for recruitment to central institutions, what will the candidates who are not proficient in Hindi do? That would be a denial of opportunity. It should be understood that such ideas have no place in a federal system. The consideration and encouragement given to the development of Hindi should be given to other regional languages as well. Similarly, it will be difficult for the country to move forward by ignoring English. Realizing this fact, the early administrators gave equal consideration to English and Hindi. Even then they did not adopt an approach of neglecting the regional languages.

Any move to place Hindi above other Indian languages ​​will only serve to sow the seeds of disunity and conflict in the country. Wise and intelligent people should try not to knowingly create an opportunity for it.