Language: A debate in India

The Maharashtra government has withdrawn its decision to make Hindi the default third language in primary schools amid political uproar and public backlash.

Language Issue in India After Independence

1. Constitutional and Historical Background

• Article 343(1): Declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.
• Article 343(2): Allowed English to continue as an official language for 15 years (till 1965).
• Munshi-Ayyangar Formula (1949): A compromise formula that made Hindi the official language but allowed continued use of English temporarily.

2. Gandhian Approach to Language

• Mahatma Gandhi supported Hindustani (blend of Hindi and Urdu) as a common language to bridge communal and regional divides.
• He emphasized linguistic harmony rather than linguistic dominance.

3. Official Languages Act, 1963 and Amendments

• Passed to extend the use of English beyond 1965 due to massive opposition in non-Hindi states.
• Amendment in 1967 enabled bilingual communication between Centre and states (Hindi + English).
• Also provided for use of regional languages in administration and exams.

4. Anti-Hindi Protests

• 1965 Anti-Hindi Agitation in Tamil Nadu marked a major political turning point.
• Violent protests forced the Centre to clarify that English would not be phased out, respecting federal linguistic diversity.
• Jawaharlal Nehru’s Assurance: Hindi would never be imposed on unwilling states.

5. Three-Language Formula (1968 onwards)

• Implemented through education policies to balance linguistic unity and diversity.
  • In Hindi-speaking states: Hindi, English, + one modern Indian language.
  • In non-Hindi-speaking states: Regional language, English, + Hindi.
• Aimed to promote inter-regional understanding, yet faced uneven implementation.

6. Linguistic Reorganisation of States

• Initial resistance from Nehru post-Partition due to fears of balkanization.
• Andhra Pradesh became the first linguistic state in 1953 after PottiSriramulu’s death due to hunger strike.
• States Reorganisation Act, 1956 created linguistic states across India.
• Reinforced the role of language in identity, administration, and democracy.

7. Why Language Became a Sensitive Issue

• Cultural Identity: Language represents ethnic and regional identity.
• Access to Education & Jobs: Citizens prefer administration in their mother tongue for clarity and efficiency.
• Fear of Domination: Non-Hindi states feared homogenization and loss of linguistic diversity.

8. The National Language Debate

• India has no National Language (as clarified by Ministry of Home Affairs).
• Hindi is the official language,English is an associate official language.
• Challenges with Hindi as National Language:
  • Multiple dialects (e.g., Bhojpuri, Maithili).
  • Script and numeral unfamiliarity.
  • Cultural and historical influence from Persian, Urdu, English.
• Alternatives proposed:
  • English for neutrality.
  • Hindustani or Sanskrit for pan-Indian appeal.

9. Eighth Schedule and Recognition of Regional Languages

• Eighth Schedule contains 22 officially recognized languages (originally 14).
• Grants eligibility for:
  • Public exams (like UPSC).
  • Use in legislatures and courts.
  • Development under Article 351.

10. Benefits of an Official/National Language (if adopted voluntarily)

• Administrative efficiency across the Union.
• Unified identity in international forums.
• Cost-effective governance through linguistic standardization.
• However, any national language must be voluntarily adopted, not imposed.