Mains Marathon

Approach :

• Briefly describe India as a multilingual nation.
• State that language is both a cultural identity and a tool of integration.
• Examine it regarding recent debates.
• Conclude with a scholarly observation

Introduction

India is home to an extraordinary linguistic diversity, with 22 scheduled languages, over 100 languages spoken by more than 10,000 people each, and more than 19,500 dialects according to the Census 2011. This multilingualism, while being a source of cultural richness, also presents complex challenges in balancing regional identity with national integration.

Body:

Language as a Marker of Regional Identity

• Symbol of Cultural Pride:
  • The role of language in shaping regional identity has deep historical and political roots.
  • The States Reorganisation Commission, appointed in 1953, which argued for the creation of linguistic states, noted in its report: “The demand for linguistic states does not represent mere cultural revivalism. It has a wider purpose in that it seeks to secure for different linguistic groups political and economic justice.”
• Electoral Rhetoric:
  • Politicians use linguistic pride to galvanize votes (e.g., “Hindi imperialism” rhetoric in Tamil Nadu elections).
• Demand for Inclusion in Eighth Schedule:
  • Movements for Bhojpuri, Tulu, Rajasthani, and Konkani dialects reflect aspirations for recognition, preservation, and funding.
• Recent Assertion Movements:
  • Karnataka: Anti-Hindi signage protests in Bengaluru emphasize Kannada-first policies in public and administrative spaces.
  • West Bengal: Push to make Bengali compulsory in schools and official functions to reinforce linguistic identity.
• Social Movements:
  • Languages like Mizo, Manipuri, Khasi, and Nagamese are central to tribal identity and autonomy.
  • Language-based protests in Manipur (against imposition of Meitei over tribal tongues) highlight intra-regional tensions.

Debates Around Hindi Imposition and Centralization

• Parliamentary Committee on Official Language (2022):
  • In 2022, the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language recommended Hindi as the medium of instruction in Central institutions, sparking criticism from several non-Hindi-speaking states.
  • Widely criticized by leaders from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Mizoram as unconstitutional and divisive.
• Education and NEP 2020 Concerns:
  • The Three-Language Formula, though meant to promote multilingualism, is perceived as a covert promotion of Hindi.
  • Example: Tamil Nadu continues to resist implementing the policy, following its “Two Language Policy” (Tamil and English).
• Judiciary and Parliamentary Language Use:
  • Proposals to expand the use of Hindi in courts and parliamentary proceedings face opposition from non-Hindi-speaking states, citing access to justice and representation concerns.

Language and National Integration

• Despite these tensions, a link language is necessary for governance, education, and national cohesion.
• While Hindi is spoken by about 44% of Indians (Census 2011), English continues to serve as a neutral and aspirational language, especially in higher education and global engagement.
• The Constitution provides several safeguards:
  • Articles 343–351 define India’s official language policy and promote Hindi while preserving linguistic pluralism.
  • Article 351 encourages the development of Hindi without undermining other languages.
  • Articles 29 and 30 protect linguistic minorities.
  • The Official Languages Act (1963) allows for the continued use of English alongside Hindi at the Union level.
  • States also have the power to adopt their own official languages under the State List, reinforcing India’s linguistic federalism.

Way Forward

• Promote multilingualism in policy and education to reflect India’s linguistic diversity.
• Ensure flexibility in the Three-Language Formula — let states choose language combinations suitable to their context.
• Build strong translation infrastructure for laws, services, and courts in all scheduled languages.
• Support regional languages with funding for literature, education, and digital content.
• Promote linguistic inclusion in digital governance — make apps, portals, and services language-friendly.

Conclusion:

As sociologist Paul Brass rightly observed: “Language movements in India are not secessionist, but deeply integrative when managed democratically.” India’s strength lies in celebrating linguistic plurality while ensuring functional unity, not through imposition, but through inclusive dialogue and federal accommodation.