‘Linguistic Diversity is The Backbone of India’s Unity’
Shubham Pandey, a research scholar of Hindi Literature in Lucknow University, says our leaders must take pride in India’s cultural diversity instead of linguistic one-upmanship: His views
While the discord between Hindi and Tamil has been historically a sensitive issue, with emotionally charged disagreements over the promotion of Hindi in South India, it has recently acquired a political shade. As a student of linguistics, it is disheartening for me to witness Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin’s alleged assertions of the state being “ready for another language war”. All languages and dialects must be respected in a country as diverse as India; linguistic conflicts would prove disastrous.
Tamil is considered one of the oldest languages in the human history with textual records dating back to 3rd Century BCE. Sanskrit, from where Hindi is derived, too is a classical ancient language. These two classical languages have enriched Indian culture for thousands of years. Political parties, be it the DMK or the BJP, should not try to turn the issue into a vote-bank agenda.
On the other end of this bickering is a novel initiative termed as the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, which aims to promote cultural and linguistic exchange between Hindi- and Tamil-speaking people. This move, launched under PM Narendra Modi, shows that India’s linguistic diversity can be seen as a unifying force and not a point of contention. We indeed require more such initiatives to strengthen the bond between two different cultures that have their origins in the same root
I have studied the New Education Policy’s (NEP) in detail. Its clear objective is to make students multilingual and create new possibilities for them; it also aims to increase their cultural understanding and open new vistas for them. The NEP also upholds the principle of linguistic freedom and seeks to ensure that the students continue to learn in the language of their choice. We must not look at the policy with a myopic vision. Progressive education reforms that are in sync with our linguistic and cultural heritage must not fall hostage to political narratives. This would be in the larger interest of the country.
India is a multilingual country where many people speak more than one language. Multilingual education improves cognitive flexibility, creativity, and social tolerance. Any attempt by the central government to use funds selectively or to pressure states into toeing a certain line must be avoided. Instead, it should hold a meeting with chief ministers to create a fair language policy, as was done in 1968.
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We should also be well aware of the fact that despite such diversity in language and culture, the country has grown to become a powerful economy in the world. No other country has managed to do justice to its multilingual existence as much as we have done, and earn accolades as a scientifically and commercially advanced nation.
Instead of making the issue a cause of conflict, the diversified treasure of languages and scriptures of our country should be seen as our cultural heritage and an identity of our unity. Beyond politics, if Hindi and Tamil speaking people make efforts to learn and understand each other, it will not only enhance cultural coordination but will further enrich the linguistic heritage of India.
As told to Rajat Rai
