Language of unity: On Maharashtra and the issue of Hindi
Uniformity should not be confused with national unity in language policy
Languages associated with power gain more influence but attempts to force languages on people on the back of political power can be divisive. The paradox is that the BJP sees the three language policy as a question of national pride and unity. It is clear that most students, including those in India’s Hindi-speaking regions, want to learn English. According to Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar, nearly a fifth of students in the State are learning a third language and the new policy would give that option to all students. There are 15 languages including Hindi available in schools under the third language option, and when at least 20 students demand a language in a school, it will be taught. While this sounds noble and politically neutral, the actual implementation is different. Hardly anyone in Bihar has learnt Tamil or Malayalam or Kannada or Telugu under the three language policy so far. The chances of an overwhelming majority of students ending up with Hindi as part of the three-language policy is high. No State or school can offer a vast range of languages. The BJP must reassess its language policy taking into account the responses that are emerging from different parts of the country. It must learn the language of unity.