Discontent over Hindi Imposition

In News

• Recently, a controversy has reignited over an attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking people.

Key Points

• Background: 
  • TheParliamentary Committee on Official Language has recommended the use of Hindi as the medium of instruction in Central institutions of higher education in Hindi-speaking States and regional languages in other States.
• Recent Reports of the Panel:
  • English, as a medium of instruction in all technical and non-technical institutions, will be permitted only where it is absolutely essential, as the idea is to replace the language gradually with Hindi in those institutions.
  • While IITs, IIMs and All India Institute of Medical Sciences are considered technical institutions, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas fall under the other category. 
  • Also, the committee has recommended the removal of English as one of the languages in examinations held for recruitment to the Central services. 
  • It has stated that the requisite knowledge of Hindi among candidates should also be ensured. 
• Government Actions promoting Hindi as official Language:
  • The National Education Policy: Mother tongue or the regional language would be the “preferred” mode of instruction until Class 5, and possibly Class 8.
  • Reports of English signage on National Highways in the State getting replaced with Hindi signage
  • The reiteration of the age-old assurance by the Central government coupled with the promise of the promotion of other Indian languages have barely mollified the protesters.

Critical Points in the Report

• Punishment of reluctance to use Hindi:
  • The panel is learnt to have taken a serious view of officers and other employees in the central government who do not use Hindi in Hindi-speaking states. 
  • The panel wants state governments to warn officials that their reluctance to use Hindi would reflect in their Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR).
• Usage in official communication: 
  • It is the Committee’s responsibility and role to see that the Hindi language is promoted in official communication, and there are recommendations to that effect. 
  • Communication, which includes letters and emails, question papers for recruitment exams, events organised by the government and its departments, will have to be in Hindi.
• Implicit Compulsory: 
  • Knowledge of Hindi would be compulsory in a number of government jobs.

Linguistic Row

• Historical Origin:
  • The origin of the linguistic row goes back to the debate on official languages. 
  • In the Constituent Assembly, Hindi was voted as the official language by a single vote. 
  • However, it added that English would continue to be used as an associate official language for 15 years. 
  • The Official Languages Act came into effect on the expiry of this 15-year period in 1965. 
• Nehru’s vow:
  • However, as early as in 1959, Jawaharlal Nehru had given an assurance in Parliament that English would continue to be in use as long as non-Hindi speaking people wanted it.
• TamilNadu’s Opposition: 
  • Tamil Nadu has had a long history of agitations against “Hindi imposition”. 
  • In August 1937, in the then Presidency of Madras, the regime headed by C. Rajagopalachari decided to make Hindi compulsory in secondary schools. 
  • E.V. Ramasamy spearheaded an agitation against the move, marking the first such stir.
  • In January 1965, the second round of agitations erupted in the wake of Hindi becoming the official language of the Union government coupled with the approach adopted by the Central government towards the whole issue.

Way Ahead

• There should be equal treatment to all the languages specified under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
• Language is a sensitive matter. There is a need to develop consensus rather than imposition from the top. 
• Zonal Councils and Interstate Council can be a great platform to discuss this sensitive issue.
• The recognition of regional aspirations will strengthen the unity of India.

Source: TH