Tag: Hindi Versus Tamil

‘Language Should Be a Bridge, Not Wall; Netas Must Not Fuel Linguistic Discord’

By LokMarg

S Siddhanathan, a retired official, says knowledge of multiple languages gives us more tools to navigate the world. His views:

During my job tenure, I spent decades working across different parts of India, meeting people from diverse linguistic backgrounds and cultural milieus. Over the years, I have come to appreciate the beauty of our multilingual society. However, I have also seen how language can be weaponised into a divisive issue, and that indeed worries me.

Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s remarks in the media that he was ready for a ‘Language War’, left me unsettled. Why turn language into a battleground? Aren’t all languages meant to connect us, and not divide? I understand the pride and emotional connection people have with their mother tongue—I feel the same about mine. But refusing to acknowledge the importance of other languages, especially a widely spoken one like Hindi, will only bring more harm than good to this country’s fabric.

In my time serving the government, I witnessed first-hand the difficulties faced by people who did not know the local language when they moved to a new place. I remember a young officer from Tamil Nadu posted in North India who struggled to communicate. Simple things—reading signboards, interacting with locals, or even filling out paperwork—became exhausting challenges. Similarly, I’ve seen North Indians struggle in South India for exactly the same reasons. Wouldn’t life be easier if we all made an effort to learn an additional language or two?

ALSO READ: ‘Linguistic Diversity Is The Backbone Of India’s Unity’

The reality is that Tamilians do not stay in Tamil Nadu alone. They move for work, education, and better opportunities. If the state government can promise that every Tamilian will get a job within the state and never need to move out, then maybe sticking to just Tamil language makes sense. But that is not practical. People from every state travel across India and knowing Hindi—along with English—gives them an edge. It is not about imposing a language; it is about opening new doors.

I do not believe Tamil should be side-lined, nor should any other regional language. Languages are integral to our identity. But we must also be realistic. The world is changing, and so is India. Being multilingual is a point of strength. It allows for better communication, more job opportunities, and greater cultural understanding. Learning Hindi doesn’t mean losing Tamil; it just means having more tools to navigate the world.

What we need is a balanced approach. Tamil Nadu should continue celebrating its rich linguistic heritage while also preparing its people for a world beyond state borders. If a young Tamilian dreams of working in Delhi, Mumbai, or even abroad, shouldn’t he or she have every advantage possible?

I have always believed that language should be a bridge, not a wall. Instead of fighting over it, let’s encourage openness and learning. Political leaders should stop using language as a tool for division and start focusing on how to equip people for a better future.

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing—a life of dignity, opportunities, and ease. And sometimes, knowing just one extra language can make all the difference.

As told to Deepti Sharma

‘Linguistic Diversity is The Backbone of India’s Unity’

By LokMarg

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