Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah extended warm greetings to the citizens of the country on the occasion of Hindi Diwas in New Delhi. In his address, he emphasized that Hindi is not in competition with any other language, but rather acts as an essential bridge for intimate communication and national unity among various Indian languages. The Home Minister noted that India is an extraordinary land of linguistic diversity and profound cultural richness.
Diversity and Plurality as National Strength
Amit Shah further stated that while people often discuss how our languages differ, he believes that having such a vast array of languages is our greatest strength. Every single language carries with it a unique history, a rich folk tradition, and a distinct perspective on life, which in turn fosters core values in the younger generation. This linguistic plurality deeply strengthens the spirit of unity in diversity across the nation.
Language as a Medium of Consciousness
According to the Home Minister, language is not merely a tool for communication, but represents the collective memory and self-awareness of any society. Hindi has played a crucial role in connecting diverse sections and communities of the country by acting as a language of dialogue, contact, and coordination amidst this vast diversity. The true growth of Hindi is meaningful only when it advances alongside the mutual respect, protection, and enrichment of all other Indian languages.
Historical Examples of Hindi's Role
Highlighting that Hindi does not compete with other languages, Amit Shah pointed out that our own history stands as the most beautiful proof of this truth. Swami Dayanand Saraswati's mother tongue was Gujarati, yet he chose to write Satyarth Prakash in Hindi. Mahatma Gandhi established the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha in Madras back in 1918. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was a Bengali speaker, yet he made Hindi the primary communication language of the Azad Hind Fauj and gave the slogan Jai Hind to the nation.
Contributions of Leaders and Personal Experiences
The Home Minister emphasized that people whose mother tongue was never Hindi have made immense contributions toward making it a language of public discourse. The inspiration drawn from those great personalities remains a constant source of encouragement for everyone. Sharing his own background, he noted that while his personal mother tongue is Gujarati, whenever he travels to any corner of the nation, the language that connects him directly with common citizens is Hindi.
A Historical Journey Through Eras
Tracing the journey of Hindi, Amit Shah observed that it reflects the journey of the entire nation. During the early medieval period, Vidyapati's Padavali and the heroic tales in Prithviraj Raso showcased this progression, followed by the wondrous era of the Bhakti movement when Tulsidas brought the Ramayana narrative to every household, while Surdas gave distinct expression to Vatsalya.
The Freedom Struggle and National Awakening
During the freedom movement, ideas centred around Swaraj, Swadeshi, and native languages infused fresh energy into national consciousness. Freedom fighters deeply experienced that the concept of self-rule remains incomplete without one's native language and self-respect. Following independence, languages served as the primary medium for nation-building, administration, and carrying development down to the masses.
Recognizing this collective legacy, the Constituent Assembly formally accepted Hindi as the official language of the Indian Union on September 14, 1949.
Addressing Post-Independence Ironies
Addressing the post-independence era, Amit Shah pointed out an irony where political independence was achieved, but matters concerning native languages, culture, and self-respect were pushed to the margins. He highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called from the Red Fort to liberate the nation from this slave mentality, where language plays a central role.
Restoration of Self-Pride
The renaming of Rajpath to Kartavya Path was not merely a change of name, he noted, pointing out how British-era penal laws have been replaced by three citizen-centric laws. This represents the restoration of national self-pride. Today, the New Education Policy places local languages at the core of education, enabling engineering and medical studies as well as competitive examinations to be conducted in multiple Indian languages.
