The Controversy Surrounding Hindi as the National Language in India

In India, the imposition of Hindi as the national language has been a contentious issue, particularly in non-Hindi speaking states. This article explores the reasons behind this imposition, its implications, and the views of various stakeholders.

Reasons for the Imposition of Hindi

There are several reasons why the imposition of Hindi continues to be a significant issue in India. One of the primary reasons is the lack of resistance from non-Hindi speaking states. Unlike in the case of France's approach to England, where the latter was given the autonomy to learn a common language, non-Hindi speaking states have not strongly resisted the pressure to adopt Hindi as the national language.

This phenomenon can be attributed to the perception that the Government of India aims to establish Hindi-speaking people as the ruling class, while all other language speakers are relegated to the position of being ruled. This move is seen as a form of cultural domination and a violation of the Right to Equality and Right to Impartiality as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

The Heightened Conflict with Political Instability

The increasing population and the current governance approach focused on communal politics exacerbate the issue. In an attempt to address the challenges posed by unemployment, the government encourages non-Hindi speaking youth to move to Hindi-speaking states in search of better opportunities. This is based on the assumption that knowing Hindi can provide broader employment prospects.

For example, a person who knows only Bengali can only work within the confines of West Bengal, whereas a person who knows Hindi can potentially work across the country, thanks to Bollywood's influence. It is argued that learning Hindi shouldn't be forced; instead, it should be promoted naturally as a lingua franca.

Political and Legal Context

The imposition of Hindi as the national language has faced criticism from both historical and current perspectives. Notably, when former Finance Minister Palaniswami Chidambaram initiated this policy, there was no immediate public outcry. Similarly, the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, being a federal government, has the responsibility to consult all stakeholders.

However, the imposition of Hindi is often perceived as a form of cheating on non-Hindi speaking people by the Hindi ruling clique. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the government is not uniformly imposing it but allowing it to evolve organically. The argument is that language is a tool of communication, and if everyone can benefit from it, it should not be imposed but embraced.

Federalism and Linguistic Unity

India's federal structure necessitates a balance between linguistic diversity and national unity. While promoting Hindi can be seen as a means to foster unity, it must be done sensitively to respect the rights and cultures of all linguistic groups.

Additionally, the BJP's political stance and its supporters' refusal to learn Hindi is often attributed to their belief that Hindi is an encroachment on their identity and culture. Meanwhile, there are those who argue that making one's mother tongue the national language is an act of egoism rather than practicality.

Overall, the controversy over Hindi as the national language reflects a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and political factors. It is a critical issue that demands careful consideration and dialogue from all stakeholders to promote a balanced and inclusive approach to national language policies.

Keywords: Hindi language, language imposition, Indian governance