Amit Shah's Language U-Turn: From Ashamed to Friend

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Amit Shah's Language U-Turn: From Ashamed to Friend

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attempts to clarify his stance on languages, asserting Hindi's role as a "friend" to all Indian languages, not an adversary, and emphasizes pride in one's own language amidst ongoing debate about English and the three-language formula.

The language debate in India just got another interesting chapter! Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, known for his strong views on promoting Indian languages, recently tried to soothe ruffled feathers after his earlier comments about English speakers potentially feeling "ashamed."

Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Centre's official language department in Delhi, Shah adopted a much softer tone. Gone was the stark warning; in its place, an emphasis on unity and mutual respect among languages.

A Shift in Tone?

Remember last week when he suggested English speakers might soon feel ashamed? That sparked a firestorm, with academics and opposition leaders accusing him of trying to impose Hindi and undermine India's rich linguistic diversity. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi even linked the "anti-English" narrative to holding back the poor.

But on Thursday, Shah seemed to be in damage control mode. He stressed, "There is no opposition to any language. There should not be any opposition to any foreign language." This is a significant pivot from his previous remarks.

Hindi: A Friend, Not an Adversary

A key takeaway from his latest address was his assertion that Hindi is a "sakhi" (friend) to all other Indian languages, not a "virodhi" (adversary). This directly addresses the long-standing criticism that any push for Hindi is an attempt to make it the sole link language. He even went on to say that "Rajbhasha Hindi and all other Indian languages together can take our programme of self-esteem to its ultimate goal."

The 'Slave Mentality' Connection Remains

While Shah's tone softened on foreign languages, he did echo his previous sentiment about the "slave mentality." He stated that until an Indian took pride in and spoke their own language, they couldn't truly be free of this mentality. This still seems to draw a connection between using English and a colonial mindset, an idea that continues to be contentious.

Education in Local Languages: A New Push?

Shah also urged state governments to consider imparting medical and engineering education in local languages, promising central support for such initiatives. This could be a significant development if states take up the challenge.

Unity Through Language

Ultimately, Shah's message on Thursday revolved around the idea of language as a unifying force. "The use of Indian languages is very important to awaken the country’s self-esteem. It’s the responsibility of all of us that Indian languages become a powerful medium to unite the country rather than divide it. Language is not just a medium of communication but the soul of a nation," he emphasized.

This ongoing debate highlights the complex and sensitive nature of language in India, a nation incredibly rich in linguistic heritage. Whether Shah's latest clarification will appease his critics and shift the narrative remains to be seen.

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