Provincial Languages Will Maintain Significance Even if Hindi Becomes Official: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury emphasized that provincial languages in India will continue to be significant even with Hindi's acceptance as the official language. He noted the importance of dialogue in addressing linguistic differences, rejecting the notion that this creates a North-South divide.
Key Takeaways
- Provincial languages will retain their relevance.
- 22 languages are recognized by the Union government.
- Dialogue can resolve linguistic differences.
- Concerns about Hindi imposition have been raised.
- Pro-Bengali groups are advocating for Bengali language preservation.
Kolkata, March 5 (NationPress) The provincial languages that are prevalent across various states in India will not lose their significance with the adoption of Hindi as the official language of the nation, asserted Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the former Congress chief of West Bengal, on Wednesday.
"Hindi has been recognized as the official language of the nation. Nonetheless, in addition to Hindi, numerous other provincial languages are spoken in several states. It is inaccurate to assume that these languages will lose their significance just because Hindi is designated as the official language," Chowdhury stated in an interview with IANS on Wednesday.
He noted that the Union government acknowledges 22 additional languages besides Hindi. "Every language holds its unique significance. It would be incorrect to view linguistic differences as a divide between North and South. Any existing differences can be resolved through dialogue," Chowdhury mentioned.
His remarks were made in response to comments from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who accused the BJP and the Union government of imposing Hindi through the three-language policy outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP).
Stalin further asserted that the Tamils have never demanded that North Indians learn Tamil or any other South Indian languages to maintain their preservation.
He emphasized that the Tamils' demand is for Hindi not to be enforced upon them. "If BJP-ruled states wish to teach three languages or even thirty, that’s their choice! But please leave Tamil Nadu alone," Stalin stated.
In West Bengal, several pro-Bengali organizations have emerged, accusing the BJP of attempting to impose Hindi on Bengali and introducing a "cow-belt culture" in the state.
These groups have also called for making it compulsory to learn and speak Bengali for all residents of West Bengal.
