Should We Respect All Indian Languages Amid the Hindi-Marathi Debate?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Anoop Jalota advocates for linguistic respect.
- Every language in India holds significance.
- Hindi is the mother tongue of the nation.
- Understanding local languages enriches cultural appreciation.
- Language disputes can impact social harmony.
Mumbai, July 9 (NationPress) In light of the ongoing debate between Hindi and Marathi, renowned singer Anoop Jalota called for an appreciation of linguistic diversity.
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Jalota highlighted the need to honor Hindi as the nation’s mother tongue. He expressed that every language spoken in India is valuable and warrants recognition. The singer remarked, “Every language is critical in our country. We have a deep affection for Marathi, and I even perform in it. Hindi is our national language, and it should be spoken everywhere. However, knowing other languages enriches us all. It's beneficial to learn and converse in various languages while also embracing your mother tongue, Hindi.”
Jalota’s remarks come amid escalating tensions in Maharashtra over the language dispute between Hindi and Marathi speakers. This controversy intensified after members of the political party MNS were accused of coercive measures against those reluctant to communicate in Marathi, leading to rising friction in the region.
Recently, singer Udit Narayan also spoke on the Hindi-Marathi issue, underscoring the significance of respecting local languages and cultures while valuing all languages spoken across India.
He stated to IANS, “Living in Maharashtra, which is my 'Karma bhoomi' (workplace), makes the local language crucial. Furthermore, every language in our country holds equal importance.”
The leaders of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT), Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, respectively, have recently expressed their disapproval regarding the proposal to include Hindi as a third language in Marathi-medium and other government schools. This backlash follows the Maharashtra government's recent recommendation to make Hindi an optional third language in state-run educational institutions.