Language war: Rise of another social evil!

Hindi hai hum, watan hai Hindustan hamara...by Allama Iqbal echoes, lingers, and constantly triggers me as I take a moment to observe what's happening around. Bharat, the land of diversity, which is nourished by the blood of bravehearts, stands 'united by everything, divided by politics'. In a country of 1.46 billion people, over 400 languages are spoken, apart from the native Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, Urdu, Kannada, Odia, and Malayalam. And today, someone is telling us what language to speak? It's not that the whole of India speaks Hindi, but they do have a mother tongue of their own. And that's not Marathi or Kannada. Every Indian is free to speak in a language they wish, regardless of the region or territory they reside in, and even find a way to communicate with the person sitting next to them, fostering a human-to-human connection. 

The controversy 

Addressing a joint rally in Mumbai's Worli alongside cousin Uddhav Thackeray (UBT Chief), Raj Thackeray claimed that all Hindi-speaking states are behind Maharashtra, so why is the State forced to speak Hindi? The remarks came after the Maharashtra Government reversed its order to make Hindi a third language in primary schools in the state, which faced backlash from the Opposition and language advocacy groups. He also said, "Hindi-speaking states are economically backward. People from these states migrate to non-Hindi-speaking states. Why didn't Hindi help them to progress?"

This has sparked a controversy ever since and has outraged the masses. A 26/11 hero has slammed brothers Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, not to divide the nation. 

Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) went out to thrash Hindi-speaking migrants brutally in public spaces. Raj Thackeray has given strict instructions to MNS workers not to talk to the media. Also, to slap the non-Marathi speaking individuals, but not capture their video. 

When there is no national language...

The Constitution of India doesn't state any national language of India. Hindi and English are the official languages, but there is no mention of any national language. Then, how can a regional language be imposed upon the people of the country? 

Aditya Trivedi feels that someone's personal opinion shall not be imposed upon the people by calling it a measure to save their cultural identity 

Aditya Trivedi, Advocate, Delhi High Court, says, "A country as diverse as India can never have 'one' language or a 'national' language. Hindi is spoken by a significant population, and there is Article 351 that directs the Union of India to promote the spread of the Hindi language, further ensuring its development and enrichment. But whatever the number of people, Hindi shall never be enough to be everyone's mother tongue or the national language of India. We must be grateful for being readily accepted with our language and culture in any part of the country, an India that the politicians have not known. It should not be told, forced upon, or made compulsory." 

A regional language war can divide India

Imposing a regional language upon those who have come to work, to learn, to prosper in your state is a dictatorship. Walk around the length and breadth of the country, and India's air and water change with every mile. Even language does, if not, then the way of speaking differs in dialect. 

Raghuveer Singh Baghel condemns Raj Thackeray's recent conduct in Maharashtra 

If every state calls for its citizens to speak in the regional language alone, it will soon lead to the division of India. Raghuveer Singh Baghel, Vice President, District Council, Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, voices, "What's happening in Maharashtra is sheer dictatorship. Whatever language you speak in your region, India is one. Linguistic differentiation is only a call for the division of India. This is something that will ultimately undermine the unity of the country. Now you see, the intellectual section might only criticize or peacefully oppose, but a significant mass from other states might ensure a similar behavior with the Marathis. This will lead us nowhere, only landing the country in distress." 

Presumably, the controversy can lead to a regional language war, one that we cannot afford. Thrashing people when they refuse to abide by what you want will unnecessarily create unrest in the nation. 

Why not Hindi? Why not my mother tongue? 

India, a linguistically rich country, has no place for these compulsions and forceful imposition. Why can't I speak Hindi or my mother tongue, if that's what I have been taught, and that's all I know? 

Gautam Singh Rajput emphasizes the importance of Hindi 

Gautam Singh Rajput, District Vice President of BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party), Dewas, Madhya Pradesh states, "Whatever language we talk in our homes, in our neighborhood and localities, in the States, it is Devnagari, our Hindi, which brings them together. Hindi is our Matrubhasha (mother tongue), which was later adopted as an official language by the Constitution of India. Of course, someone might have any other language as their mother tongue. Taking pride and enhancing it is good, but imposing it forcefully is simply not done."  

Jayesh Acharya hopes that 'choice of language' is not imposed to an extent that it becomes a 'barrier' 

Jayesh Acharya, Vikram Awardee and Former Secretary General of the Madhya Pradesh Table Tennis Association, says, "Language is an individual choice. It should not be forced for self-pride. Do not make the medium of communication a barrier. They should not impose it as a compulsion; it will only provoke people to oppose." 

Aditya Trivedi affirms, "Have these politicians ever taken some pain in knowing what the 'people' connect with. Despite their religion, culture, and language, they readily accept one another. They can connect with music, cinema, and art. What these politicians are nagging about is barely important to the countrymen." 

It's no more about mere language. India's rich linguistic culture stands in danger. What if every state demands that everyone within the respective boundaries speak the regional language only? Even if Raj Thackeray wasn't against any language, he did go on lashing out at Hindi and Hindi-speaking migrants. Sir, what if your State is progressive enough because of the Hindi-speaking migrants? Do not impose, and do not compel. As Aditya Trivedi rightly sums up, "If ever there is a way out, it is only to let all languages thrive."