Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday, 14 September 2026, declared that Hindi is not a rival to any Indian language but a unifying companion that bridges the country's vast linguistic diversity. Speaking at the Hindi Diwas 2026 celebrations and the 6th All India Official Language Conference in Navi Mumbai, Shinde said the promotion of Hindi must go hand in hand with the preservation of all regional languages.

The event was held in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has been at the forefront of driving the use of Hindi across central government operations.

Marathi and Hindi: A Shared Script, A Shared Heritage

Welcoming Amit Shah to Maharashtra, Shinde drew attention to the deep historical and cultural ties between Marathi and Hindi, both rooted in the Devanagari script. He cited the spiritual legacy of saints Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, and Namdev, whose teachings shaped not only Maharashtra's religious traditions but also contributed to a broader cultural cohesion across the subcontinent.

Notably, Shinde highlighted that the compositions of Saint Namdev travelled as far as Punjab and found a place in the Guru Granth Sahib — evidence, he argued, that Indian languages have maintained a living dialogue for centuries. From Kabir, Tulsidas, and Mirabai to modern literary traditions, Hindi has served as a conduit for Indian culture and philosophy reaching the wider public.

Hindi as a Partner, Not a Replacement

Shinde was unequivocal in clarifying the intent behind Hindi promotion: it is not to displace any regional language, but to move forward alongside all Indian tongues. He noted that Maharashtra takes pride in Marathi having received Classical Language status, while simultaneously extending respect to Hindi as the official language of the Union.

He urged that languages rooted in Indian soil be used more extensively in official administration. This comes amid an ongoing national conversation about the role of Hindi in a constitutionally multilingual country, with several southern states periodically raising concerns about Hindi imposition.

Expanding Hindi into Governance and Specialised Fields

The Deputy Chief Minister advocated pushing Hindi beyond everyday conversation into specialised domains including science, technology, the judiciary, police administration, and general governance. He argued that such an expansion would make communication between citizens and the state seamless and more inclusive.

Shinde appreciated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Hindi has received a significant push in government operations, pointing specifically to Shah's commitment to processing ministry files in Hindi.

Maharashtra's Role in the Larger National Vision

Highlighting Mumbai's status as the financial capital of India, Shinde described Maharashtra as the engine of the country's economic progress. He expressed confidence that with the 'double-engine' government accelerating state development, Maharashtra's contribution to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision would be pivotal.

Acknowledging the state's social fabric, Shinde recognised the significant contribution of Hindi-speaking communities to Maharashtra's industry, trade, and social development. He appealed to this community — who have, in his words, 'forged bonds with the soil of Maharashtra' — to continue working toward national progress.

The conference, Shinde noted, serves as a platform for connecting diverse linguistic groups and reinforcing the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. With the language debate far from settled nationally, the event's tone — conciliatory and pluralistic — signals the ruling dispensation's preferred framing ahead of future political contests in multilingual states.