NEW DELHI: Actor and politician Kamal Haasan on Friday emphasised the linguistic pride among Tamilians and warned those who might take language issues lightly. Amid the continuing controversy surrounding the National Education Policy (NEP), Haasan recalled the state's historic struggle against the imposition of Hindi, asserting the people's capacity to choose their language. "Tamilians have lost their lives for a language. Don't play with those things. Tamilians, even children, know what language they need. They have the knowledge to choose which language they need," he stated, addressing party members during the eighth foundation day of his party, Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM), held at his party headquarters in Chennai.
This declaration came as the Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, responded to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clarifying misconceptions about NEP 2020's language requirements. Pradhan chastised Stalin for his "myopic vision" and accused him of misrepresenting progressive educational reforms as political threats. He also argued the chief minister's concerns contradict the spirit of cooperative federalism. The education minister’s comments were part of the broader fallout from Stalin's assertion about NEP 2020, which he believed could impose Hindi and Sanskrit on the state's two-language policy.
Further complicate the situation, Annamalai, leader of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu division, supported the NEP's three-language policy, characterising the learning of a third language as beneficial. He levelled accusations against Stalin and the DMK for misleading the populace by claiming Hindi would be made compulsory under the education reform. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin warned of dire consequences, asserting, "Hindi will destroy Tamil like it did many North Indian languages," sparking protests by the INDIA bloc against the BJP-led central government.
These protests reflect broader apprehensions about the erosion of regional identities. Udhayanidhi illustrated the historical impacts of Hindi's expansion, arguing it could replicate past declines of local languages, which have suffered under its dominant influence. "Hindi destroyed the local languages of states in the North such as Rajasthani, Haryanvi, Bhojpuri, and other Bihari languages and has become the primary local language," he asserted during the demonstration.
The backdrop of this linguistic debate is steeped deeply in India’s complex identity mosaic. A nation where linguistic diversity reigns, it’s not uncommon to travel short distances and encounter entirely different languages and cultures. This was the reality for many Indians growing up, often detached from the language debates affecting their regions. For example, one observer recounted growing up among various languages, realising only post-Independence how unique India's linguistic situation was, punctuated by calls for Hindi imposition.
The tension began to escalate around the time of British rule when the colonial government pushed English as the language of power. This strategy inadvertently united Indians against their colonial rulers, with many embracing English as their rallying cry for independence. Post-independence, the language conundrum persisted as leaders grappled with how to unify the nation linguistically. While some advocated for the prominence of Hindi, others insisted on the importance of retaining regional languages.
Gandhi’s vision of Hindustani, effectively melding Hindi and Urdu, was conceived as both innovation and compromise destined to create harmony among linguistic factions. Unfortunately, this did not materialise as hoped, leading to continued north-south divisions. Currently, many feel the push for Hindi dominance serves as evidence of northern cultural superiority, exacerbated by the challenges faced by other languages.
Discussions are often heated within families and communities, creating tensions evident during everyday conversations, such as during dinners where language debates ignited. The motivations behind this linguistic strife are twofold: identity and economics. English, with its global appeal, presents opportunities for many across India; friends and family members pursue it tirelessly, viewing it as their gateway to prosperity.
This discussion around language isn’t likely to cease anytime soon. Numerous political leaders and community members see the debates as reflections of their core identities and cultural heritage. Embracing India's diverse languages as strengths rather than hindrances could shine as the beacon for unity and resilience among its people, instead of divisive policies seeking to impose uniformity.
Kamal Haasan’s warnings and calls for awareness resonate widely amid this backdrop, urging respect for linguistic pride among Tamil Nadu’s population. The echoes of historical struggles resonate with the present, demanding vigilance from all who seek to undermine the people's choices concerning their language. Although the political discourse around language might be fraught, it concurrently compels citizens to reflect on their identities and the cultural fabric they wove for generations.
Looking forward, there remains hope. Perhaps the path forged by the younger generations—who navigate multilingual environments seamlessly, mixing languages within their communities—might reshape the narrative. Cultivated fluency across several languages can emerge as the new normal, fostering respect and appreciation for the spectrum of India's linguistic heritage. The path to equity among languages and identities could very well emerge from the heart of the communities forging connections rather than conflict.