"Hindi is not our national language; It's an official language": Ravichandran Ashwin

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin triggered fresh 'language debate' as he suggested that Hindi isn't the country's "national language".​

Ravichandran Ashwin, whose recent retirement stunned the world of cricket and his fans, has said that Hindi is "not our national language but an official language" - a comment that could trigger a debate. Ashwin made the comment at the graduation ceremony of a private engineering college in Tamil Nadu, where the use of Hindi has always been a sensitive subject that has fuelled strong reactions. Addressing students, Ashwin asked if those attending the ceremony were willing to ask questions in Hindi if they weren't comfortable in English or Tamil.

"English students in the house - give me a yay," he urged, getting a loud cheer in reply. "Tamil" - at this, the students roared. "Okay, Hindi?" In response, the audience suddenly fell silent. "I thought I should say this. Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language," Ashwin went on to say, in Tamil.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877595730728087723

The comment could provoke fresh debate at a time several opposition parties, including Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, have accused the Centre of trying to impose Hindi on states, especially in the South.

At the same event, Ashwin also touched upon the topic of Team India's captaincy. Here, the veteran off-spinner gave a diplomatic answer.

"When someone says I can't do it, I wake up to accomplish it, but if they say I can, I lose interest," Ashwin explained.

Ashwin also spoke about his background, having done engineering. Sharing learnings from his own journey, Ashwin asked students to never give up and remain persistent with their path, even in times of doubts.

Ravichandran Ashwin, whose recent retirement stunned the world of cricket and his fans, has said that Hindi is "not our national language but an official language" - a comment that could trigger a debate. Ashwin made the comment at the graduation ceremony of a private engineering college in Tamil Nadu, where the use of Hindi has always been a sensitive subject that has fuelled strong reactions. Addressing students, Ashwin asked if those attending the ceremony were willing to ask questions in Hindi if they weren't comfortable in English or Tamil.

"English students in the house - give me a yay," he urged, getting a loud cheer in reply. "Tamil" - at this, the students roared. "Okay, Hindi?" In response, the audience suddenly fell silent. "I thought I should say this. Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language," Ashwin went on to say, in Tamil.

The comment could provoke fresh debate at a time several opposition parties, including Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, have accused the Centre of trying to impose Hindi on states, especially in the South.


At the same event, Ashwin also touched upon the topic of Team India's captaincy. Here, the veteran off-spinner gave a diplomatic answer.

"When someone says I can't do it, I wake up to accomplish it, but if they say I can, I lose interest," Ashwin explained.

Ashwin also spoke about his background, having done engineering. Sharing learnings from his own journey, Ashwin asked students to never give up and remain persistent with their path, even in times of doubts.

Had any engineering staff told me I couldn't become captain, I would have worked harder," he added, encouraging the students to stay focused and persistent when faced with doubts.

"If you are a student, you will never stop. If you aren't, learning will cease, and excellence will just be a word in your cupboard," he further said.

"Hindi Not Our National Language": R Ashwin Triggers Debate | Cricket News

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin triggered fresh 'language debate' as he suggested that Hindi isn't the country's "national language".

sports.ndtv.com

 

[Major]

Well he is right isnt he?

 

[RexRex]

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin triggered fresh 'language debate' as he suggested that Hindi isn't the country's "national language".​

Ravichandran Ashwin, whose recent retirement stunned the world of cricket and his fans, has said that Hindi is "not our national language but an official language" - a comment that could trigger a debate. Ashwin made the comment at the graduation ceremony of a private engineering college in Tamil Nadu, where the use of Hindi has always been a sensitive subject that has fuelled strong reactions. Addressing students, Ashwin asked if those attending the ceremony were willing to ask questions in Hindi if they weren't comfortable in English or Tamil.

"English students in the house - give me a yay," he urged, getting a loud cheer in reply. "Tamil" - at this, the students roared. "Okay, Hindi?" In response, the audience suddenly fell silent. "I thought I should say this. Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language," Ashwin went on to say, in Tamil.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877595730728087723

The comment could provoke fresh debate at a time several opposition parties, including Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, have accused the Centre of trying to impose Hindi on states, especially in the South.

At the same event, Ashwin also touched upon the topic of Team India's captaincy. Here, the veteran off-spinner gave a diplomatic answer.

"When someone says I can't do it, I wake up to accomplish it, but if they say I can, I lose interest," Ashwin explained.

Ashwin also spoke about his background, having done engineering. Sharing learnings from his own journey, Ashwin asked students to never give up and remain persistent with their path, even in times of doubts.

"Hindi Not Our National Language": R Ashwin Triggers Debate​

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Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin triggered fresh 'language debate' as he suggested that Hindi isn't the country's "national language".​

• NDTV Sports Desk
• Updated: January 10, 2025 12:06 pm IST

Read Time: 2 min

File photo of R Ashwin© BCCI/Sportzpics




Ravichandran Ashwin, whose recent retirement stunned the world of cricket and his fans, has said that Hindi is "not our national language but an official language" - a comment that could trigger a debate. Ashwin made the comment at the graduation ceremony of a private engineering college in Tamil Nadu, where the use of Hindi has always been a sensitive subject that has fuelled strong reactions. Addressing students, Ashwin asked if those attending the ceremony were willing to ask questions in Hindi if they weren't comfortable in English or Tamil.

"English students in the house - give me a yay," he urged, getting a loud cheer in reply. "Tamil" - at this, the students roared. "Okay, Hindi?" In response, the audience suddenly fell silent. "I thought I should say this. Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language," Ashwin went on to say, in Tamil.


The comment could provoke fresh debate at a time several opposition parties, including Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, have accused the Centre of trying to impose Hindi on states, especially in the South.






At the same event, Ashwin also touched upon the topic of Team India's captaincy. Here, the veteran off-spinner gave a diplomatic answer.



"When someone says I can't do it, I wake up to accomplish it, but if they say I can, I lose interest," Ashwin explained.

Ashwin also spoke about his background, having done engineering. Sharing learnings from his own journey, Ashwin asked students to never give up and remain persistent with their path, even in times of doubts.

Had any engineering staff told me I couldn't become captain, I would have worked harder," he added, encouraging the students to stay focused and persistent when faced with doubts.

"If you are a student, you will never stop. If you aren't, learning will cease, and excellence will just be a word in your cupboard," he further said.

"Hindi Not Our National Language": R Ashwin Triggers Debate | Cricket News

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin triggered fresh 'language debate' as he suggested that Hindi isn't the country's "national language".

sports.ndtv.com

Seems like a random remark. Was this in response to something that happened recently ?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

"When someone says I can't do it, I wake up to accomplish it, but if they say I can, I lose interest," Ashwin explained.

Someone should have told him he can't take a 5fer in SENA.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Ashwin loves to speak in Tamil and after that in English. Seems a bit uninterested in Hindi

 

[Rajdeep]

Ashwin loves to speak in Tamil and after that in English. Seems a bit uninterested in Hindi

LOL he recently opened a Hindi YouTube channel though

 

[The Bald Eagle]

LOL he recently opened a Hindi YouTube channel though

Used to watch his YT videos, especially in 2022. Used to talk only in his native language like the kuttti stories. Obviously with subtitles

 

[Rajdeep]

Used to watch his YT videos, especially in 2022. Used to talk only in his native language like the kuttti stories. Obviously with subtitles

Paise ka chakkar! When it comes to money, everyone falls in line. He opened a Hindi channel to appeal to the massive North Indian population, and then turned around to say Hindi is not a national language in a Chennai university.

Anyway, while what he said is technically correct, I don’t see the need for that snide remark. Here's the thing: Hindi may not be a national language, but it is the most spoken language in India. It serves as a link language between most states, barring a few exceptions.

Interestingly, the Hindi we speak isn’t the mother tongue or native language of any state. Even in so-called Hindi heartland states like UP, MP, or Bihar, people speak Awadhi, Bhojpuri, or Magadhi. Similarly, people in Punjab and Delhi predominantly speak Punjabi, in Bengal they speak Bengali, in Odisha Oriya, and so on.

So no state has a patent on the Hindi language—it’s just a convenient link language across the country. For example, I can easily communicate with someone from Kashmir, Bangalore, Assam, or Gujarat in Hindi. However, if I speak Bengali or Tamil outside my state, most people wouldn’t understand me.

It’s a simple concept, yet some people refuse to acknowledge it. Not sure why

 

[RexRex]

So no state has a patent on the Hindi language—it’s just a convenient link language across the country. For example, I can easily communicate with someone from Kashmir, Bangalore, Assam, or Gujarat in Hindi. However, if I speak Bengali or Tamil outside my state, most people wouldn’t understand me.

It’s a simple concept, yet some people refuse to acknowledge it. Not sure why

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, people can understand angrezi. English is a better link language.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Hindi is not India's national language. Its common knowledge.

 

[ChennaiFan]

I haven't needed to learn Hindi yet. On a couple of occasions, some north Indians in Chennai attempted to speak to me in Hindi. When I responded in English, they were confused.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

LOL he recently opened a Hindi YouTube channel though

because he want to become official now lol

 

[Champ_Pal]

I haven't needed to learn Hindi yet. On a couple of occasions, some north Indians in Chennai attempted to speak to me in Hindi. When I responded in English, they were confused.

English is the default language for every Indian.
Hindi is understood and spoken by 70% of Indians. It’s reach is increasing.

 

[Varun]

So no state has a patent on the Hindi language—it’s just a convenient link language across the country. For example, I can easily communicate with someone from Kashmir, Bangalore, Assam, or Gujarat in Hindi. However, if I speak Bengali or Tamil outside my state, most people wouldn’t understand me.

It is not the link language between the South Indian states, or between the North Indian states.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Ravi Ashwin has said the right thing - what's wrong in it?

 

[Varun]

It is not the link language between the South Indian states, or between the North Indian states.

North East* Indian

 

[Rajdeep]

It is not the link language between the South Indian states, or between the North Indian states.

Most people in South and NE can speak good hindi. I think the hatred for hindi comes more from the hatred for ruling party rather than the grasp of the language. It is not only in South and NE though, even in Bengal most TMC supporters hate hindi. Its mostly political.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Most people in South and NE can speak good hindi. I think the hatred for hindi comes more from the hatred for ruling party rather than the grasp of the language. It is not only in South and NE though, even in Bengal most TMC supporters hate hindi. Its mostly political.

Aise banega Hindu Rashtra?

 

[Champ_Pal]

Most people in South and NE can speak good hindi. I think the hatred for hindi comes more from the hatred for ruling party rather than the grasp of the language. It is not only in South and NE though, even in Bengal most TMC supporters hate hindi. Its mostly political.

The hatred for Hindi comes from the likes of Periyar who subscribe to Aryan invasion theory. For them Hindi is a foreign language brought in by invaders (I know its laughable). Many of these Dravida political parties are Dravida supremacists. They know that they can maintain a hold on the society and hang on to power as long as they can mark a clear line between Sanskrit originated languages and Tamil. Again the same US vs Them mentality.
Things are slowly changing and the educated Tamil folk now understand and speak Hindi moderately. I know a few Tamil folk who confessed that they are limited by job opportunities just because they could not understand Hindi. So they have to only look for jobs in Tamilnadu or some South Indian state at best. Many struggle even in other South states as they do not understand Telugu or Kannada. They have to hope that the other person understands English to communicate.

 

[Rajdeep]

The hatred for Hindi comes from the likes of Periyar who subscribe to Aryan invasion theory. For them Hindi is a foreign language brought in by invaders (I know its laughable). Many of these Dravida political parties are Dravida supremacists. They know that they can maintain a hold on the society and hang on to power as long as they can mark a clear line between Sanskrit originated languages and Tamil. Again the same US vs Them mentality.
Things are slowly changing and the educated Tamil folk now understand and speak Hindi moderately. I know a few Tamil folk who confessed that they are limited by job opportunities just because they could not understand Hindi. So they have to only look for jobs in Tamilnadu or some South Indian state at best. Many struggle even in other South states as they do not understand Telugu or Kannada. They have to hope that the other person understands English to communicate.

Agree brother. Just didnt wanted to be so direct to hurt feelings of some posters here

 

[ChennaiFan]

The hatred for Hindi comes from the likes of Periyar who subscribe to Aryan invasion theory. For them Hindi is a foreign language brought in by invaders (I know its laughable). Many of these Dravida political parties are Dravida supremacists. They know that they can maintain a hold on the society and hang on to power as long as they can mark a clear line between Sanskrit originated languages and Tamil. Again the same US vs Them mentality.
Things are slowly changing and the educated Tamil folk now understand and speak Hindi moderately. I know a few Tamil folk who confessed that they are limited by job opportunities just because they could not understand Hindi. So they have to only look for jobs in Tamilnadu or some South Indian state at best. Many struggle even in other South states as they do not understand Telugu or Kannada. They have to hope that the other person understands English to communicate.

People in Tamil Nadu are free to learn Hindi and they are not prevented from doing it. It is up to the individuals.

Around 70 years ago, Congress, the then ruling party attempted to force Hindi as mandatory in schools. Whether it was to replace Tamil or not, I don't know. But, the opposition parties exploited the situation and went against Hindi.

In a way, I am glad that we didn't want Hindi in schools. Had we allowed it, we would be a Hindi speaking state now. Also, since our focus is only Tamil and English, TN's English skill is good which in turn helped us in higher education.

 

[gani999]

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, people can understand angrezi. English is a better link language.

That is indeed true. Hindi (or the bookish Hindi taught in Indian schools) is a link language only among the various north Indian languages like Bhojpuri, Awadhi etc. Nationally, the link language is still English, particularly among the educated.

 

[gani999]

The hatred for Hindi comes from the likes of Periyar who subscribe to Aryan invasion theory. For them Hindi is a foreign language brought in by invaders (I know its laughable). Many of these Dravida political parties are Dravida supremacists. They know that they can maintain a hold on the society and hang on to power as long as they can mark a clear line between Sanskrit originated languages and Tamil. Again the same US vs Them mentality.
Things are slowly changing and the educated Tamil folk now understand and speak Hindi moderately. I know a few Tamil folk who confessed that they are limited by job opportunities just because they could not understand Hindi. So they have to only look for jobs in Tamilnadu or some South Indian state at best. Many struggle even in other South states as they do not understand Telugu or Kannada. They have to hope that the other person understands English to communicate.

That is laughable. Typical nonsense coming from the more insecure North Indians. Knowing Hindi will get you a job only if you are looking for employment in rural areas of UP, Bihar, Rajasthan and a few other Northern states. Even in Delhi it is English that is more in demand.
One of the most profitable businesses in UP/Bihar is to run a English language institute. Says something, doesn't it?

That said, I love Hindi and speak it very well, my South Indian origin notwithstanding. I think it s a really beautiful language, full of great literature and scholarship. But it definitely is not India's national language, and should not be forced down everyone's throat.

 

[Champ_Pal]

People in Tamil Nadu are free to learn Hindi and they are not prevented from doing it. It is up to the individuals.

Around 70 years ago, Congress, the then ruling party attempted to force Hindi as mandatory in schools. Whether it was to replace Tamil or not, I don't know. But, the opposition parties exploited the situation and went against Hindi.

In a way, I am glad that we didn't want Hindi in schools. Had we allowed it, we would be a Hindi speaking state now. Also, since our focus is only Tamil and English, TN's English skill is good which in turn helped us in higher education.

Hindi is part of curriculum at schools in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana. They did not become Hindi speaking states. Telugu is still the majority language spoken. But Hindi is understood by majority of people even if they do not speak it.

Its fear mongering in Tamilnadu by Dravida parties that Hindi will overtake Tamil. It is laughable. The idea is to not enforce Hindi. But to have people understand it that way people are not completely alienated from it.

 

[Champ_Pal]

That is laughable. Typical nonsense coming from the more insecure North Indians. Knowing Hindi will get you a job only if you are looking for employment in rural areas of UP, Bihar, Rajasthan and a few other Northern states. Even in Delhi it is English that is more in demand.
One of the most profitable businesses in UP/Bihar is to run a English language institute. Says something, doesn't it?

That said, I love Hindi and speak it very well, my South Indian origin notwithstanding. I think it s a really beautiful language, full of great literature and scholarship. But it definitely is not India's national language, and should not be forced down everyone's throat.

Exactly what I am talking about. You should be able to read the signs on roads and shops and understand it when you are in deeper parts of UP, MP, Bihar etc. Not everyone from Tamilnadu is a software engineer who sticks to big cities where English is used as a common language. If a person from Tamilnadu wants to open a business in UP, he should not be limited by his grip on Hindi.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The hatred for Hindi comes from the likes of Periyar who subscribe to Aryan invasion theory. For them Hindi is a foreign language brought in by invaders (I know its laughable). Many of these Dravida political parties are Dravida supremacists. They know that they can maintain a hold on the society and hang on to power as long as they can mark a clear line between Sanskrit originated languages and Tamil. Again the same US vs Them mentality.
Things are slowly changing and the educated Tamil folk now understand and speak Hindi moderately. I know a few Tamil folk who confessed that they are limited by job opportunities just because they could not understand Hindi. So they have to only look for jobs in Tamilnadu or some South Indian state at best. Many struggle even in other South states as they do not understand Telugu or Kannada. They have to hope that the other person understands English to communicate.

Interesting. What is it that they believe is supreme about Dravidia? I always thought it was the other way round, the rest of Indians considered them inferior.

 

[ChennaiFan]

Hindi is part of curriculum at schools in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana. They did not become Hindi speaking states. Telugu is still the majority language spoken. But Hindi is understood by majority of people even if they do not speak it.

Its fear mongering in Tamilnadu by Dravida parties that Hindi will overtake Tamil. It is laughable. The idea is to not enforce Hindi. But to have people understand it that way people are not completely alienated from it.

The key was making Hindi mandatory which was wrong. People in TN can learn Hindi if they want. Facilities are available for them to do it.

We survived and thrived without Hindi. Even if someone wants to open a business in a rural area of UP, or Bihar (I highly doubt it), they are free to learn the local language. But that edge case doesn't justify forcing a foreign language on us.

These days, I see many North Indians/East Indians working in restaurants and shopping malls in Chennai. While many of them speak English, some of them don't. On only those occasions when I couldn't converse with them, I found myself wanting to know Hindi. Perhaps they should learn Tamil.

 

[Mockingbird]

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, people can understand angrezi. English is a better link language.

Not everyone lives in cities and not every strata of society understands English. Hindi is a better bridge across states.

 

[ChennaiFan]

Interesting. What is it that they believe is supreme about Dravidia? I always thought it was the other way round, the rest of Indians considered them inferior.

Some uneducated or radicalized fools may believe one race/group is better than the others. The exceptions are there everywhere. But in general, I don't think people in the South believe they are superior to their counterparts in other parts of the country.

 

[Mockingbird]

The key was making Hindi mandatory which was wrong. People in TN can learn Hindi if they want. Facilities are available for them to do it.

We survived and thrived without Hindi. Even if someone wants to open a business in a rural area of UP, or Bihar (I highly doubt it), they are free to learn the local language. But that edge case doesn't justify forcing a foreign language on us.

These days, I see many North Indians/East Indians working in restaurants and shopping malls in Chennai. While many of them speak English, some of them don't. On only those occasions when I couldn't converse with them, I found myself wanting to know Hindi. Perhaps they should learn Tamil.

So many more Tamilians live outside TN and they are all well versed in Hindi (I grew up in Mumbai in a Tamil dominated area but all my friends absolutely are fluent in Hindi). So the
thing is, you can get away with not learning a ‘foreign language’ (funny though how Hindi is foreign but English is not) if you continue to live in your silo, but the moment you step out you will have to learn Hindi.

 

[ChennaiFan]

So many more Tamilians live outside TN and they are all well versed in Hindi (I grew up in Mumbai in a Tamil dominated area but all my friends absolutely are fluent in Hindi). So the
thing is, you can get away with not learning a ‘foreign language’ (funny though how Hindi is foreign but English is not) if you continue to live in your silo, but the moment you step out you will have to learn Hindi.

If you say so. . But, that is too much generalization. Many people I know and I live outside TN and we don't know Hindi.

Both Hindi and English are foreign languages to us. People will learn them if there is a need. I learned English for my education, and learning Hindi didn't offer me anything.

you can get away with not learning a ‘foreign language’ (funny though how Hindi is foreign but English is not) if you continue to live in your silo, but the moment you step out you will have to learn Hindi.

This is a false propaganda. Many of us stepped out and we are good without Hindi. The fact is, Hindi is not important. Many congress leaders (sigh) tried to push that and failed. Now, the BJP is attempting the same.

 

[Mockingbird]

If you say so. . But, that is too much generalization. Many people I know and I live outside TN and we don't know Hindi.

Both Hindi and English are foreign languages to us. People will learn them if there is a need. I learned English for my education, and learning Hindi didn't offer me anything.

This is a false propaganda. Many of us stepped out and we are good without Hindi. The fact is, Hindi is not important. Many congress leaders (sigh) tried to push that and failed. Now, the BJP is attempting the same.

Look at Shreyas Iyer, Vidya Balan and R Madhavan - they grew up in Mumbai/North India and they speak Hindi fluently. Heck, we also have a Tamil BJP MLA in Mumbai. As I said before, I was born and brought up in a TamBrahm dominated area of Mumbai, went to a Tamil management run school and know of several Tamilians who speak Hindi fluently. I am a South Indian myself and think there is no shame associated with learning a language which majority can understand and communicate with. I don’t understand the resistance to learn Hindi - Heck if you are living in other states and can learn English, why not learn Hindi?

 

[Champ_Pal]

Look at Shreyas Iyer, Vidya Balan and R Madhavan - they grew up in Mumbai/North India and they speak Hindi fluently. Heck, we also have a Tamil BJP MLA in Mumbai. As I said before, I was born and brought up in a TamBrahm dominated area of Mumbai, went to a Tamil management run school and know of several Tamilians who speak Hindi fluently. I am a South Indian myself and think there is no shame associated with learning a language which majority can understand and communicate with. I don’t understand the resistance to learn Hindi - Heck if you are living in other states and can learn English, why not learn Hindi?

While Hindi should not be enforced or for that matter any language, by sticking to mainly your local tongue, parents and government will do a major disservice to their kids by stopping them from expanding their horizons. At minimum people should be able to understand Hindi when someone speaks. They can respond in English if they choose to.

People still falling for Dravida movement and Periyar ideology in this day and age is shameful. Every state should promote its state language. But Hindi should be taught at least at minimum level so that the children will not find it too hard to work anywhere in India. If 70% of the country can understand and converse in a language, the children from remaining 30% of the population should not be shielded from it. Hindi should be taught at least until Grade 7. Later on, it should be offered as an optional subject.

 

[liam26]

This post on Twitter went viral a few days ago.

Telugu Woman's Heartwarming Post On How Hindi Brought Her Closer To Tamil Husband Viral

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877731289505362308

When some users asked why the couple hadn’t tried learning each other’s native languages, Iyer clarified that her husband grew up in Mumbai and felt more at ease communicating in Hindi.

She elaborated, “It started with English. But husband’s comfort level with Hindi was better and he preferred it that way. Over time, I saw how he was more laid back, relaxed and warm in Hindi."

Telugu Woman's Heartwarming Post On How Hindi Brought Her Closer To Tamil Husband Viral - News18

The Telugu woman expressed gratitude for their mutual knowledge of Hindi, explaining that relying solely on English within a family setting would have felt awkward.

www.news18.com

 

[ChennaiFan]

Look at Shreyas Iyer, Vidya Balan and R Madhavan - they grew up in Mumbai/North India and they speak Hindi fluently. Heck, we also have a Tamil BJP MLA in Mumbai. As I said before, I was born and brought up in a TamBrahm dominated area of Mumbai, went to a Tamil management run school and know of several Tamilians who speak Hindi fluently. I am a South Indian myself and think there is no shame associated with learning a language which majority can understand and communicate with. I don’t understand the resistance to learn Hindi - Heck if you are living in other states and can learn English, why not learn Hindi?

Had I stayed in Mumbai, I would have done the same. It is the need that drives. Not learning Hindi has nothing to do with shame or any identity crisis. If I move to Delhi for example, I will learn Hindi.

 

[ChennaiFan]

While Hindi should not be enforced or for that matter any language, by sticking to mainly your local tongue, parents and government will do a major disservice to their kids by stopping them from expanding their horizons. At minimum people should be able to understand Hindi when someone speaks. They can respond in English if they choose to.

People still falling for Dravida movement and Periyar ideology in this day and age is shameful. Every state should promote its state language. But Hindi should be taught at least at minimum level so that the children will not find it too hard to work anywhere in India. If 70% of the country can understand and converse in a language, the children from remaining 30% of the population should not be shielded from it. Hindi should be taught at least until Grade 7. Later on, it should be offered as an optional subject.

I agree, a minimum level of Hindi is good. It is up to the kid to take it from there based on his/her needs.

 

[Mockingbird]

This post on Twitter went viral a few days ago.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877731289505362308

When some users asked why the couple hadn’t tried learning each other’s native languages, Iyer clarified that her husband grew up in Mumbai and felt more at ease communicating in Hindi.

She elaborated, “It started with English. But husband’s comfort level with Hindi was better and he preferred it that way. Over time, I saw how he was more laid back, relaxed and warm in Hindi."

Telugu Woman's Heartwarming Post On How Hindi Brought Her Closer To Tamil Husband Viral - News18

The Telugu woman expressed gratitude for their mutual knowledge of Hindi, explaining that relying solely on English within a family setting would have felt awkward.

www.news18.com

Same case in my household - my wife is from one South Indian state, I am from another & Hindi/English is common to both of us since we are both Mumbaikars. We are teaching our kids Hindi too over our own native languages as it is easier for them to communicate when they go back to Mumbai. I don’t understand why the fuss about one’s state language over other in this day and age of intermingled society.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Same case in my household - my wife is from one South Indian state, I am from another & Hindi/English is common to both of us since we are both Mumbaikars. We are teaching our kids Hindi too over our own native languages as it is easier for them to communicate when they go back to Mumbai. I don’t understand why the fuss about one’s state language over other in this day and age of intermingled society.

I come from a mixed family. We use all 3 languages. Hindi, Telugu and English. The language we use depends on the mood and the surroundings.

 

[Mockingbird]

Had I stayed in Mumbai, I would have done the same. It is the need that drives. Not learning Hindi has nothing to do with shame or any identity crisis. If I move to Delhi for example, I will learn Hindi.

Exactly my point. Any state can get away with imposing a state language only till the people exist in silo. With jobs being so fluid these days, learning Hindi is not an imposition, it should be encouraged. If other states have no problem with Hindi, I don’t understand why TN has to resist against Hindi. What is so unique about Tamil language or culture which other states don’t have?

 

[Technics 1210]

The only thing national about India is Hindutva, otherwise it is a well known fact that India has no unified identity thus no national language or anything.

 

[Mockingbird]

The only thing national about India is Hindutva, otherwise it is a well known fact that India has no unified identity thus no national language or anything.

True in some ways, not in others. India is a very unique country because our languages/dialects/cuisines change every few kms, hence our challenges are very unique compared to the rest of the world & difficult to comprehend by others. But having said that metro India is a very intermingled society hence the unifier is our nationality not Hindutva. And as job mobility and arranged marriages phase out in Gen Z & Alpha, the intermingling will only increase

 

[Devadwal]

The only thing national about India is Hindutva, otherwise it is a well known fact that India has no unified identity thus no national language or anything.

Only thing is consistent - Pakistani posters are talking about Hindu- muslim.

Bhai bored ni hote hai kya ? Har discussion main Hindu - Muslim leke aa jate ho .

 

[Champ_Pal]

The only thing national about India is Hindutva, otherwise it is a well known fact that India has no unified identity thus no national language or anything.

Its the Puranas. Characters like Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Mahavira are identified by people from all over India. Though Buddhism and Jainism have lost lot of their followers, they are still respected by all Indians.

This is why Hindutva is important for the unity of India.

 

[ChennaiFan]

Exactly my point. Any state can get away with imposing a state language only till the people exist in silo. With jobs being so fluid these days, learning Hindi is not an imposition, it should be encouraged. If other states have no problem with Hindi, I don’t understand why TN has to resist against Hindi. What is so unique about Tamil language or culture which other states don’t have?

Humans are resilient. They will learn things as per their needs. Why force a language on us when it is useless for our day-to-day life?
I am not going to discuss other states here. The details on Tamil heritage, the language, and why they are different from other states can be found if you really seek it.

 

[Mockingbird]

Humans are resilient. They will learn things as per their needs. Why force a language on us when it is useless for our day-to-day life?
I am not going to discuss other states here. The details on Tamil heritage, the language, and why they are different from other states can be found if you really seek it.

Naah, not interested in understanding Tamil culture and why it deserves special treatment - every state language has its own proud history, one ain’t above the other. And tbh, I don’t understand why you consider Hindi an imposition - it doesn’t harm in learning a new language, especially if majority of your own country speaks the language. Here in America people teach their kids Spanish & Mandarin mindful of their future utility, but TN guys don’t even want their kids to learn Hindi!

 

[ChennaiFan]

Naah, not interested in understanding Tamil culture and why it deserves special treatment - every state language has its own proud history, one ain’t above the other. And tbh, I don’t understand why you consider Hindi an imposition - it doesn’t harm in learning a new language, especially if majority of your own country speaks the language. Here in America people teach their kids Spanish & Mandarin mindful of their future utility, but TN guys don’t even want their kids to learn Hindi!

For the last time, we are not against Hindi, we are against anyone demanding us to learn it.
It appears you have some misconceptions about the "TN guys". But that is okay, we don't care.

Also, we don't ask for special treatment because we, not the people in the North or West, decide what we deserve. Stop worrying about the kids in TN and focus on your states.

 

[Smbhayi]

Most people in South and NE can speak good hindi. I think the hatred for hindi comes more from the hatred for ruling party rather than the grasp of the language. It is not only in South and NE though, even in Bengal most TMC supporters hate hindi. Its mostly political.

Not really, I barely understand Hindi and can't speak at all..