Language wars undermining national unity

INDIA’s linguistic diversity is a cornerstone of its cultural richness, yet recent events highlight the challenges in balancing regional pride with national unity. In Karnataka, a State Bank of India manager’s refusal to converse in Kannada, asserting, “This is India, I’ll speak Hindi, not Kannada,” sparked widespread outrage, leading to his transfer and calls for linguistic sensitivity training in public services. Similarly, a Bengaluru techie was reportedly denied parking for speaking Hindi, igniting debates over linguistic tolerance in urban spaces.

These incidents occur against the backdrop of the National Education Policy’s (NEP) three-language formula, which recommends that students learn three languages, with at least two being native to India. While the policy aims to promote multilingualism and national integration, it has faced resistance from Tamil Nadu, which perceives it as an imposition of Hindi and a threat to its linguistic identity. The NEP emphasises flexibility, stating that no language will be imposed on any state, and the choice of languages will be left to the states, regions and students. However, the practical implementation of this policy remains contentious, with debates over its impact on regional languages and the perceived dominance of Hindi.

To navigate such fractured dialogues, it is imperative to foster an environment of mutual respect and understanding. Public institutions should ensure that services are accessible in local languages and employees are trained in cultural and linguistic sensitivity. Educational policies must be implemented with flexibility, respecting regional preferences while promoting multilingual proficiency. India’s linguistic plurality should be celebrated as a unifying force rather than a divisive one. By embracing our diverse tongues with empathy and openness, we can strengthen the fabric of our nation and ensure that language becomes a bridge, not a barrier.

Editorials