7 March 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

 1. Protect language,don’t politicise it

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Ideas Page – Page No. – 11)

Analysis of the news:

Political Motivations Behind CM Stalin’s Allegations

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s claim that Hindi has consumed smaller languages like Maithili and Santhali is not only misleading but also a strategic move aimed at political gain.
• His assertion appears to be an attempt to stir linguistic emotions and create a divide between language groups.
• It is notable that no representatives of these smaller language communities have expressed similar concerns. Instead, it is Stalin, a regional leader, who is raising the issue.
• With elections approaching in about a year, he seems to be leveraging language politics to rally voter support.
• While debates on language preservation are important, using them as a political tool is both irresponsible and divisive.
• Fortunately, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has clarified that the government is not imposing Hindi and that the three-language policy simply encourages learning an additional language without undermining one’s mother tongue.

The Myth of a Monolithic Hindi Identity

• Stalin has also argued that Hindi is being presented as a monolithic identity, but this claim does not align with linguistic realities.
• No language group in India functions as a uniform entity. Even within states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, dialects vary across regions.
• While standardization is necessary for administrative and educational purposes, it does not mean that regional variations are erased.
• India’s linguistic culture is built on resilience and adaptation, making any forced homogenization neither practical nor desirable.
• Stalin’s narrative ignores this diversity and instead paints an alarmist picture that does not hold up under scrutiny.

Understanding the Real Threats to Regional Languages

Rather than blaming Hindi for the decline of smaller languages, it is important to examine the actual reasons why certain linguistic communities feel threatened. There are four key factors contributing to the challenges faced by regional languages:

1. Linguistic Colonialism and Its Impact – The influence of foreign languages like Urdu and Persian during the Mughal era, followed by English under British rule, significantly altered the linguistic landscape of India. During Shivaji Maharaj’s reign, the excessive use of Persian in administration led to the creation of a Marathi language dictionary to preserve native terminology. Similarly, British rule led to English becoming the dominant medium for education and governance, stalling the organic growth of several Indian languages.
2. The Association of Language with Social Status – The colonial past created a perception that speaking English is synonymous with higher social standing. Many Indian language groups have internalized this, leading to the gradual dilution of their linguistic traditions. Outside a few exceptions like Tamil, Bengali, and Malayalam, several Indian languages have struggled against the dominance of English. This phenomenon is further exacerbated by the increasing use of English words in everyday speech by urban dwellers, leading to a slow erosion of native vocabulary.
3. The Inertia of Language Proponents – Language survival depends on active usage. Mere political rhetoric is insufficient; there must be a systematic effort to integrate regional languages into education, governance, entertainment, and daily life. For example, Kazakhstan once demanded Hindi movie subtitles in Kazakh instead of Russian, showcasing the power of cultural demand. Similarly, efforts in Maharashtra to make Marathi a primary language in state administration serve as a proactive model for linguistic preservation.
4. The Politics and Policies of Language Development – A well-structured policy framework is necessary to support language growth. Rather than engaging in language-related political battles, governments and linguistic communities must work together to ensure regional languages keep pace with technological and educational advancements. This includes developing scientific and technical terminology in native languages, expanding their presence in literature and media, and promoting their use in formal settings.

A Call for Responsible Language Advocacy

• CM Stalin must recognize that fueling linguistic resentment is far easier than actively working to uplift a language.
• While he frames his argument as a defense of regional languages, his approach risks deepening divisions rather than fostering linguistic growth.
• True language preservation requires a collaborative effort across educational, political, and cultural platforms.
• Instead of pitting languages against each other, India must focus on policies that ensure all languages thrive in a multilingual ecosystem.
• Stalin’s brand of linguistic politics, if left unchecked, may do more harm than good, turning a celebration of diversity into a source of unnecessary conflict.

Conclusion

• CM Stalin’s allegations about Hindi threatening smaller languages are more politically motivated than fact-based.
• While linguistic diversity must be preserved, blaming one language for the decline of others oversimplifies the issue.
• The real threats to regional languages stem from historical linguistic colonialism, socio-cultural perceptions, and policy inertia.
• Instead of politicizing the language debate, efforts should focus on constructive measures like education, media representation, and policy support to ensure all Indian languages flourish.

Check out 6 March 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis