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Imposing Language




Language can unite people but it can also be the cause for division. Nation-states emerged in the European continent with language being one of the primary basis. In the Indian context, after the country became independent, the states were reorganised on the basis of language. To some extent language and culture are interchangeable.
Just like in the case of India, Europe speaks over 200 languages. The European Union has recognised 24 official languages for the 28-nation community. All 24 languages are used in the official work of the EU, that means every correspondence/document gets translated into those many languages. English nor German or French for that matter does not have a superior status.
The recent developments in India, pertaining to language and Hindi language in particular has many people worried and angered a few others. The bone of contention being the status upgradation given to Hindi in Parliament and in educational institutions. President, PM and other dignitaries who are well versed in Hindi can now give their statements/speeches in Hindi. The parallel development went one step further- Hindi will be a compulsory subject till X standard in all Kendriya Vidyalayas. This comes a few years after the present government at the Centre took office and the PM preferring to speak in Hindi and Hindi alone in public. Suddenly, there was a feeling that Hindi has replaced English as the official language of the government.
The South Indian states in particular are upset with these latest trends as they feel this is an imposition. The feeling is that Hindi is getting official patronage from the Modi government and this is at the cost of the so-called Dravidian languages. States like Tamil Nadu have a history of anti-Hindi protests that are linked to their unique identity and culture. The ghosts of 1965 are being revisited, yet again.
Perception matters. Language is very personal. Nobody has a right to impose. Giving official recognition to all the Indian languages is the first step to dispel any doubt. Just when we are trying to forge a united nation, language should not be a barrier. Let people speak in which ever language they feel comfortable in.

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