Should Hindi Be the Official Link Language Of India?

[leonidas_alexandar]

Indian Home Minister Mr. Shah's comments on encouraging the idea that people of different states in India should communicate with each other in Hindi drew flak from various quarters.


Among the many objections that I heard - one was that it is difficult for South Indians given that most of their native languages are not in Devanagari script which makes it easier for their northern brethren to learn Hindi. Is there any truth to this?

Most posters would be familiar with the role - relegation of Bengali and encouragement given to Urdu - played during the Bangladesh liberation struggle.

Should India be careful and continue to maintain status quo in ensuring that officially there is no national language in India?

 

[KingKhanWC]

I read India has around 80 differnet languages. Various cultures in a huge land.

Sure there should be a national language but its a free world, people can speak what they like.

More Hindutva RSS extremism.

 

[JaDed]

Time for him to learn Tamil. This should be a reminder to Kannadigas how BJP which they keep voting in will impose Hindi.

 

[JaDed]

I read India has around 80 differnet languages. Various cultures in a huge land.

Sure there should be a national language but its a free world, people can speak what they like.

More Hindutva RSS extremism.

No thanks, India doesn’t require a national language, Tamil is older than Hindi and with a rich history and literature.

 

[KingKhanWC]

No thanks, India doesn’t require a national language, Tamil is older than Hindi and with a rich history and literature.

If you dont mind me asking, is Tamil your traditional language?

I love listening to Urdu and not sure if its my personal bias but Hindu doesnt sound as sweet to the ear for me.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

No thanks, India doesn’t require a national language, Tamil is older than Hindi and with a rich history and literature.

I don't understand this fixation with Hindi. If the argument is that at least 50% speak Hindi in India - that means the remaining 50% does not speak Hindi. I suspect the non-Hindi speaking people in India is higher than Hindi speaking people.

Also English is doing a fine job as it is as a national unifier anyway. Especially for downtrodden communities learning English is a powerful tool of social, financial mobility upwards.

At the end of the day hope this remains just a suggestion and not an actual government backed policy.

 

[Realromeo]

English should be the link language. We are not interested in learning Hindi. Come Learn Tamil if you want to live in Tamil Nadu. If I come to northern states, I will learn hindi.

 

[JaDed]

If you dont mind me asking, is Tamil your traditional language?

I love listening to Urdu and not sure if its my personal bias but Hindu doesnt sound as sweet to the ear for me.

Mine are Hindi and Punjabi but i grew up in a Tamil city, and i would not want Hindi to be imposed on them.

Hindi can be nice to hear esp old Hindi spoken by Amitabh Bachan in interviews or sung by Lata Mangeshkar but yes Urdu is obviously very nice to hear because of so much poetry involved.

 

[Major]

I don't understand this fixation with Hindi. If the argument is that at least 50% speak Hindi in India - that means the remaining 50% does not speak Hindi. I suspect the non-Hindi speaking people in India is higher than Hindi speaking people.

Also English is doing a fine job as it is as a national unifier anyway. Especially for downtrodden communities learning English is a powerful tool of social, financial mobility upwards.

At the end of the day hope this remains just a suggestion and not an actual government backed policy.

In pakistan its way worst as 16percent speak urdu while majority speak punjabi, pashto or sindhi

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

In pakistan its way worst as 16percent speak urdu while majority speak punjabi, pashto or sindhi

A genuine question - I am sorry what is way worst with the 16% speaking Urdu? Are you suggesting there are some people in Pakistan who want Urdu to play a more prominent role even though only 16% of the people speak it in the country?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Mine are Hindi and Punjabi but i grew up in a Tamil city, and i would not want Hindi to be imposed on them.

Hindi can be nice to hear esp old Hindi spoken by Amitabh Bachan in interviews or sung by Lata Mangeshkar but yes Urdu is obviously very nice to hear because of so much poetry involved.

Yes I recall it was easier for me to understand Hindi a couple of decades ago, esp when I used to watch old Bollywood films with the family. What has been the change and why:?

 

[ElRaja]

In pakistan its way worst as 16percent speak urdu while majority speak punjabi, pashto or sindhi

....as a first language, id hazard a guess to say that apart from certain parts of the tribal belt, interior sindh or balochistan, everyone understands it to a conversational level as a second language, id pbly say at least 70% speak it acceptably.

i grew up in a pothwari family and every single person in my extended family spoke, read and wrote urdu, and from personal experience growing up in Pakistan, the vast majority of urban dwellers spoke urdu.

 

[ElRaja]

Yes I recall it was easier for me to understand Hindi a couple of decades ago, esp when I used to watch old Bollywood films with the family. What has been the change and why:?

im guessing theyve made an effort to reduce the persian and arab vocabulary where sanskrit words are present. bollywood hindi of the 90s was pretty much hindustani, or urdu.

 

[KingKhanWC]

im guessing theyve made an effort to reduce the persian and arab vocabulary where sanskrit words are present. bollywood hindi of the 90s was pretty much hindustani, or urdu.

Im not really clued up on Bollywood. I was kinda forced to watch lol. I did enjoy a few movies. The movie Coolie with Bachan was a popular one with the family, mainly because of the Islamic aspect. In this movie was Urdu used a lot because of this aspect?

 

[ElRaja]

Im not really clued up on Bollywood. I was kinda forced to watch lol. I did enjoy a few movies. The movie Coolie with Bachan was a popular one with the family, mainly because of the Islamic aspect. In this movie was Urdu used a lot because of this aspect?

same boat as u, havnt seen indian films since 90s when family used to watch em in pak. i had no clue what was going on, but the dialogue pretty much sounded like urdu to me back then. the only different words i remember are raksha, pati, patni, kundli, shunya, lol. but if i see someone like modi giving a speech now theres lot of words that sound different.

 

[KingKhanWC]

same boat as u, havnt seen indian films since 90s when family used to watch em in pak. i had no clue what was going on, but the dialogue pretty much sounded like urdu to me back then. the only different words i remember are raksha, pati, patni, kundli, shunya, lol. but if i see someone like modi giving a speech now theres lot of words that sound different.

Not sure but it seems they are using more sanskirt words and taking out the persian/urdu words. I was told Patni means mistress, strange thing to call ones wife unless she doesnt know. Or this word could mean wife too but why use a word which can mean mistress?

 

[cricketjoshila]

Time for him to learn Tamil. This should be a reminder to Kannadigas how BJP which they keep voting in will impose Hindi.

Sir BJP is not imposing Hindi. Right now the link language across the country is English. Its a foreign language. He was talking about using hindi as the link language.

Tbh, if Tamil and Sanskrit was made part of the curriculum from the beginning, people wouldn't have any issues.

Kannadigas are not going to fall into this trap. The hijab protests have shown the kannadigas what awaits them if congress comes back.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Sir BJP is not imposing Hindi. Right now the link language across the country is English. Its a foreign language. He was talking about using hindi as the link language.

Tbh, if Tamil and Sanskrit was made part of the curriculum from the beginning, people wouldn't have any issues.

Kannadigas are not going to fall into this trap. The hijab protests have shown the kannadigas what awaits them if congress comes back.

English being a foreign language is an anachronistic, outdated concept. Indian English is actually a legitimate and valid branch in English literature. Indian constitution is in English, the judgments by the highest court are delivered in English.

As long as Hindi is not imposed - people in the South will learn it organically anyway. Once it takes the form of government imposition or even the milder form of encouragement - it will face resistance.

 

[pillionrider]

Time for him to learn Tamil. This should be a reminder to Kannadigas how BJP which they keep voting in will impose Hindi.

I feel ashamed of my brethren when they speak Hindi and for their newly discovered love for Lord Rama

 

[Itachi]

I read India has around 80 differnet languages. Various cultures in a huge land.

Sure there should be a national language but its a free world, people can speak what they like.

More Hindutva RSS extremism.

Lol it has nothing to do with Hindutva. Most regional languages have same origin of sanskrit which is also the origin of hindi.

Some brit Pakistanis lack the required knowledge yet doesn't hesitate to show their ignorance lol.

 

[Itachi]

Im not really clued up on Bollywood. I was kinda forced to watch lol. I did enjoy a few movies. The movie Coolie with Bachan was a popular one with the family, mainly because of the Islamic aspect. In this movie was Urdu used a lot because of this aspect?

Those are dialects of hindi.

 

[pillionrider]

On topic, North Indians have a complex about English. It's as simple as that. They've traditionally tended to consider themselves superior to South Indians on the basis of colour - the average North Indian tends to be fairer than the average South Indian. But English and education is one of several areas, where they fall behind. They can see the benefits of these things and so Shah is reflecting what is the general mindset - if we can't compete let's drag them down to our level.

But Northies who moved to the South for work because most of their states are kind of useless start their careers off generally from an (unvetted) superior standpoint. Then as time goes by, you can see them understanding their limitations and the areas that Southies are clearly better. Then the next stage is humility and less of that aggro. Those who still don't learn are eventually taught this in the language they understand

Since I've only posted negatives, let me post one area which North Indians are definitely more useful to the country. They tend to bemore aggressive and hence contribute more to the Armed Forces. There are obviously exceptions - Kodavas contribute hugely to the Army considering their population. But overall...

 

[Itachi]

On topic, North Indians have a complex about English. It's as simple as that. They've traditionally tended to consider themselves superior to South Indians on the basis of colour - the average North Indian tends to be fairer than the average South Indian. But English and education is one of several areas, where they fall behind. They can see the benefits of these things and so Shah is reflecting what is the general mindset - if we can't compete let's drag them down to our level.

But Northies who moved to the South for work because most of their states are kind of useless start their careers off generally from an (unvetted) superior standpoint. Then as time goes by, you can see them understanding their limitations and the areas that Southies are clearly better. Then the next stage is humility and less of that aggro. Those who still don't learn are eventually taught this in the language they understand

Since I've only posted negatives, let me post one area which North Indians are definitely more useful to the country. They tend to bemore aggressive and hence contribute more to the Armed Forces. There are obviously exceptions - Kodavas contribute hugely to the Army considering their population. But overall...

I believe if above is the case, there would be an element of insecurity also involved here. We, the north eastern are/were discrimanted in the basis of mongoloid structure but never harbor any dislike towards others for this reason. Only a miniscule amount of people are racist and it would be wrong to paint a whole region because of it.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think it can backfire.

Current status quo seems good.

 

[JaDed]

English being a foreign language is an anachronistic, outdated concept. Indian English is actually a legitimate and valid branch in English literature. Indian constitution is in English, the judgments by the highest court are delivered in English.

As long as Hindi is not imposed - people in the South will learn it organically anyway. Once it takes the form of government imposition or even the milder form of encouragement - it will face resistance.

Well said. Indian English is a language now time for BJP to accept it and move on or make entire UP learn one language which is not Hindi/Sanskrit/Urdu/Punjabi and then they can impose another language.

 

[cricketjoshila]

English being a foreign language is an anachronistic, outdated concept. Indian English is actually a legitimate and valid branch in English literature. Indian constitution is in English, the judgments by the highest court are delivered in English.

As long as Hindi is not imposed - people in the South will learn it organically anyway. Once it takes the form of government imposition or even the milder form of encouragement - it will face resistance.

As i said, from the start curriculum should have stressed on Sanskrit and Tamil, the two mother languages. And English as the third language.

 

[anikrc1]

As i said, from the start curriculum should have stressed on Sanskrit and Tamil, the two mother languages. And English as the third language.

English and mother tongue. And frankly speaking why would I learn Hindi given that Bengali is culturally much richer ? The greatest novelists,poets of modern India are almost all invariably Bengali.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

No need to learn Tamil Or Hindi.
There should be no national language.
South people speak English more than Hindi

 

[DeadlyVenom]

What language did Rama speak?

 

[Varun]

On topic, North Indians have a complex about English. It's as simple as that. They've traditionally tended to consider themselves superior to South Indians on the basis of colour - the average North Indian tends to be fairer than the average South Indian. But English and education is one of several areas, where they fall behind. They can see the benefits of these things and so Shah is reflecting what is the general mindset - if we can't compete let's drag them down to our level.

But Northies who moved to the South for work because most of their states are kind of useless start their careers off generally from an (unvetted) superior standpoint. Then as time goes by, you can see them understanding their limitations and the areas that Southies are clearly better. Then the next stage is humility and less of that aggro. Those who still don't learn are eventually taught this in the language they understand

Since I've only posted negatives, let me post one area which North Indians are definitely more useful to the country. They tend to bemore aggressive and hence contribute more to the Armed Forces. There are obviously exceptions - Kodavas contribute hugely to the Army considering their population. But overall...

North Indians can only really survive in Bangalore and Hyderabad when it comes to South India. Even the rest of KA/AP sees no Hindi unless they meet Muslims who can converse in Urdu.

Tamil Nadu - well, even in the capital city Chennai they are in big trouble. Kerala is not much better.

With that in mind, I hope the map of India becomes clear in their heads when they choose to immigrate down here.

 

[CricketCartoons]

English and mother tongue. And frankly speaking why would I learn Hindi given that Bengali is culturally much richer ? The greatest novelists,poets of modern India are almost all invariably Bengali.

Bengalis who write in Bangla, or Bengalis who write in English?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

same boat as u, havnt seen indian films since 90s when family used to watch em in pak. i had no clue what was going on, but the dialogue pretty much sounded like urdu to me back then. the only different words i remember are raksha, pati, patni, kundli, shunya, lol. but if i see someone like modi giving a speech now theres lot of words that sound different.

I don't speak Urdu (as a born and bred native Brit) but I do understand it, I have always had the impression that Bollywood movies sounded less attractive the more Sanskrit-type words they used. Although I do like the sound of raksha, pati and patni is a bit...well I'm sure there are other alternatives.

 

[anikrc1]

Actually, both

 

[RajBan]

Bengalis who write in Bangla, or Bengalis who write in English?

Both actually.

Hindi is a link language in large parts of India just like English which is pan India and that is all fine as that has been a natural phenomenon. No need to prioritise it institutionally given that Bengali, Marathi, Tamil , Punjabi, Telugu and several others each has their own rich literary tradition , many far ahead than Hindi/Urdu. Infact Bengali acts as a link language in large parts of Eastern and North Eastern India , but no need to give it undue privilege over other regional mother tongues. The same should stand for Hindi. Amit Shah needs to comprehend the same, if not it is their loss.

 

[Varun]

This mentality comes from this map, with the exception of Karnataka.

 

[RajBan]

This mentality comes from this map, with the exception of Karnataka.

True. But funnily these stupid idea coming from Gujaratis and North Maharashtra and not core Hindi speakers in UP and MP.

 

[Rajdeep]

Lol @ some posters saying North Indians consider themselves superior to South Indians due to skin colour. I am yet to observe that. If anything, North Indians hardly have much knowledge about South. If you ask a person from Delhi or Himachal who are not well travelled, for them every South Indian is Tamil who eats sambar. Its the South Indians who are obsessed with North and for some unexplicable reason considers them as their enemy. This comes from insecurity or as posters mentioned here perhaps from skin colour.

I mean just look here in this forum, how many times you have seen any North Indians have any issue with South? But we regularly hear our Southern brothers dissing North Indians and promoting/bigging up their state. This obsession is hilarious. Northies simply dont care unfortunately. Now I know the silly arguement will come why so many from North then travel to Bangalore/Chennai for job. A job is a job and every individual has the right to seek livelihood anywhere in the world. Why so many Malyalis travel to Dubai?

Now as far as Hindi is concerned, let me clear a misconception. Modern Hindi as we speak is NOT a mother tongue of any state in India - North, South, East or West. In UP people at home speaks either in Maithali or Awadhi. Biharis/Jhankhandis speaks in Bhojpuri, Malwi is spoken in MP, people in Gujrat speaks Gujrati, Marwari is spoken in Rajasthan etc etc. So there is no so called hindi belt in India. Modern hindi is hybrid simpler version which people of various states use to interact.

Now lets come to the imposition bit which is an even bigger lie. Who is imposing hindi on South India and how? Imposition meaning someone eroding your culture and imposing your own. But no one is doing that. Let me give you an example - most bus or street symbols in Tamil Nadu/Karnataka are written in English/Tamil. Thousands of North Indians lives there for livelihood who cant read either language. Ministry is asking to also add a 3rd language in hindi so that everyone can understand. Is that imposition? Imposition would have been had they removed the signboards of their native language and replace it with hindi. I am from Bengal and 70% of people in rural bengal cant understand a word in hindi. Same goes for people in Orissa, North East or other non-hindi speaking belt. But every sign board in my state in 3 languages - English, Bangla and Urdu. I have never heard anyone crying about imposition.

All these imposition drama comes from insecurity unfortunately. Go to youtube and watch office flashmob dance videos of bangalore IT companies. If there are more than 2 hindi songs...you are guaranteed to find a hindi imposition comment...why hindi song in my state etc etc. Go to North India, people love and adore Bahubali/Pushpa/RRR and other South movie songs.

This language issue is an excuse though. The real and main reason is deep rooted hatred for Modi/BJP and somehow trying to paint a picture that current regime is anti South India. But the good thing is vast majority of South Indians already understand this drama and this regional divide tactics by few. Nothing gonna work unfortunately.

#MeraBharatMahaan
#SabChangaSi

 

[pillionrider]

If you ask a person from Delhi or Himachal who are not well travelled, for them every South Indian is Tamil who eats sambar.

You sound like a northie here despite claiming to be Bengali. What I mean is, this is what you'd expect a typical North Indian to say.

Eat sambar.

That would be like me saying - Every Punjabi eats lassi

But we regularly hear our Southern brothers dissing North Indians and promoting/bigging up their state.

When you have nothing to big up, what can you big up. Sadly, many of the North Indian things worth bigging up are Muslim in heritage. So can't even do that

A job is a job and every individual has the right to seek livelihood anywhere in the world. Why so many Malyalis travel to Dubai?

Sure. No problem with that. Aren't you the guy who lives in England and called it his karmabhoomi. Anyway, that's all fine. But when you move your *** from one place to another because the former is offering you less... you adapt to the new place. You don't expect or demand that the new place adapt to your strange self.

About Mallus. I don't know. Ask your friend Romalli Rotti why he loves Muslim and Christian countries...

To conclude. Growing up, there was no Northie-Southie thing. There were no anti-Northie prejudices to those with North Indian parents who were born or brought up here . Never thought of them as being particularly different. It's the 2000s IT wave that brought in radically different-behaving and different-thinking folk that kicked off the process.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Both actually.

Hindi is a link language in large parts of India just like English which is pan India and that is all fine as that has been a natural phenomenon. No need to prioritise it institutionally given that Bengali, Marathi, Tamil , Punjabi, Telugu and several others each has their own rich literary tradition , many far ahead than Hindi/Urdu. Infact Bengali acts as a link language in large parts of Eastern and North Eastern India , but no need to give it undue privilege over other regional mother tongues. The same should stand for Hindi. Amit Shah needs to comprehend the same, if not it is their loss.

Hindi is a street language, like Urdu. Even though I know hindi very well, like a native speaker, I pretend to not know it.

I want a Hindu Rashtra, not a Hindi Rashtra. Hinduism, and not third class hindi, should be the link between all Indians.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

On topic, North Indians have a complex about English. It's as simple as that. They've traditionally tended to consider themselves superior to South Indians on the basis of colour

Oh Bhai..

 

[Varun]

If you ask a person from Delhi or Himachal who are not well travelled, for them every South Indian is Tamil who eats sambar.

Same in reverse to be honest. Nobody in Tamil Nadu cares where you're from if you state you're from anywhere north of Hyderabad. There is no difference between Punjab/Jharkhand/Rajasthan/Himachal Pradesh etc. Everybody is a North Indian Hindi speaking bhaiya.

 

[Rajdeep]

You sound like a northie here despite claiming to be Bengali. What I mean is, this is what you'd expect a typical North Indian to say.

Eat sambar.

That would be like me saying - Every Punjabi eats lassi



When you have nothing to big up, what can you big up. Sadly, many of the North Indian things worth bigging up are Muslim in heritage. So can't even do that



Sure. No problem with that. Aren't you the guy who lives in England and called it his karmabhoomi. Anyway, that's all fine. But when you move your *** from one place to another because the former is offering you less... you adapt to the new place. You don't expect or demand that the new place adapt to your strange self.

About Mallus. I don't know. Ask your friend Romalli Rotti why he loves Muslim and Christian countries...

To conclude. Growing up, there was no Northie-Southie thing. There were no anti-Northie prejudices to those with North Indian parents who were born or brought up here . Never thought of them as being particularly different. It's the 2000s IT wave that brought in radically different-behaving and different-thinking folk that kicked off the process.

LOL what kind of statement is that? So are you saying there is nothing good about any state in North India? With arrogance like this and then you wonder why you guys being made fun off. Please come off from your high horse.

You don't have to worry which state I am from. As I said many times before I don't believe in regionalism and my only identity is I am an Indian who believes in Sanatan dharma. I don't care if someone is from North or South, Bihari or Gujrati, Kannda or Bengali - who cares.

Let me put it this way, I absolutely love people from South India and I dont distinguish anyone based on their state, unlike you.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

I mean just look here in this forum, how many times you have seen any North Indians have any issue with South?

Agree, South Indians have no issue with North Indians or Hindi language. Its Local political parties who create this nonsense. Common people have no issues.

Northies simply dont care unfortunately.

Who cares whether they care about South or not?

South Indians hardly migrate to North for work but North IndiaN migrants labour are everywhere in South.
Bangalore, Chennai , Hyderabad ..take any metro, all construction workers are from North.
Visit NIMHANS in Bangalore, most of the patients from Bengal and North
Visit Satya Sai Hospital in Bangalore, most of the patients from Bengal (I am not sure what Mamatha is doing for Bengal, people crossing 2 states for better treatment and Labour work.)
Visit CMC in Vellore, you will find patients from Orissa and Bengal
Visit any restaurant in South Indian Metro cities, most of the staff from NE.
Cleaning, Plumbing , carpentry, Painting ..whatever Online service you book.
I am not even talking about IT and Pharma jobs.


Every Indian has right to work anywhere in India. People migrate for only one reason i.e to earn bread and butter when things don’t work at their place.

Hindi belt/North always dominantes national politics. South India has counted for too little in the Indian Republic.
Budget allocation, Railway, Agriculture, Allocation of Lok Sabha seats , sports etc ..South Indians have negligible influence on the Union government’s policies.

Nonetheless, the figures speak for themselves. In proportionate terms, South India contributes far more to the national economy than North India. And to the tax revenues of the Central government too. Those Indians who live in the South are, on the whole,better fed, more prosperous, better educated, and with easier access to public services than Indians who live in the North. Many northerners recognise this – which is why they vote with their feet to move South.

Now lets come to the imposition bit which is an even bigger lie. Who is imposing hindi on South India and how? Imposition meaning someone eroding your culture and imposing your own. But no one is doing that.

No one is imposing Hindi on South India, its local political parties and their vote bank propaganda.
Many South Indian parents sending their kids to Hindi tutions and many kids speaking Hindi.

[/QUOTE]

 

[Rajdeep]

Agree, South Indians have no issue with North Indians or Hindi language. Its Local political parties who create this nonsense. Common people have no issues.



Who cares whether they care about South or not?

South Indians hardly migrate to North for work but North IndiaN migrants labour are everywhere in South.
Bangalore, Chennai , Hyderabad ..take any metro, all construction workers are from North.
Visit NIMHANS in Bangalore, most of the patients from Bengal and North
Visit Satya Sai Hospital in Bangalore, most of the patients from Bengal (I am not sure what Mamatha is doing for Bengal, people crossing 2 states for better treatment and Labour work.)
Visit CMC in Vellore, you will find patients from Orissa and Bengal
Visit any restaurant in South Indian Metro cities, most of the staff from NE.
Cleaning, Plumbing , carpentry, Painting ..whatever Online service you book.
I am not even talking about IT and Pharma jobs.


Every Indian has right to work anywhere in India. People migrate for only one reason i.e to earn bread and butter when things don’t work at their place.

Hindi belt/North always dominantes national politics. South India has counted for too little in the Indian Republic.
Budget allocation, Railway, Agriculture, Allocation of Lok Sabha seats , sports etc ..South Indians have negligible influence on the Union government’s policies.

Nonetheless, the figures speak for themselves. In proportionate terms, South India contributes far more to the national economy than North India. And to the tax revenues of the Central government too. Those Indians who live in the South are, on the whole,better fed, more prosperous, better educated, and with easier access to public services than Indians who live in the North. Many northerners recognise this – which is why they vote with their feet to move South.




No one is imposing Hindi on South India, its local political parties and their vote bank propaganda.
Many South Indian parents sending their kids to Hindi tutions and many kids speaking Hindi.

[/QUOTE]

Agree with everything you said. All these imposition, North-South divide is political which majority of aam Indians don't subscribe too. Britishers used to use this divide and rule policy which some politicians whom people of this country have rejected is using to polarise elections and gather votes.

 

[pillionrider]

LOL what kind of statement is that? So are you saying there is nothing good about any state in North India? With arrogance like this and then you wonder why you guys being made fun off.

The only ones being made fun off here are the North Indians. At least so far. Nice try though

You don't have to worry which state I am from. As I said many times before I don't believe in regionalism and my only identity is I am an Indian who believes in Sanatan dharma. I don't care if someone is from North or South, Bihari or Gujrati, Kannda or Bengali - who cares.

Let me put it this way, I absolutely love people from South India and I dont distinguish anyone based on their state, unlike you.

Why so touchy about the North Indians Mr Bengali. Be proud man. It's ok.

No one cares if you love or hate South Indians. Just behave yourself while you're in the South. And don't speak in Hindi to us, unless you have a fetish for being ignored

 

[Varun]

No one cares if you love or hate South Indians. Just behave yourself while you're in the South. And don't speak in Hindi to us, unless you have a fetish for being ignored

Also, Hindi is hardly a strong suit of the Bengalis.

 

[Sidilicious]

As a North Indian for whom Hindi is the mother tongue, I will make this clear - the day anyone imposes Hindi as the link language of India, that will be start of the end of India. The problem with Amit Shah types is the lack of understanding of history. Right in your neighbourhood they imposed Urdu on the Bangladeshis, which was the start of the break up of Pakistan.

English needs to remain the link language, not only because it is a neutral language, but also provides significant economic opportunities.

Let’s face it, south and western India is keeping India afloat. These are the states with better Human development index. You can also add North East and Bengal to the list, to an extent.

 

[Rajdeep]

The only ones being made fun off here are the North Indians. At least so far. Nice try though



Why so touchy about the North Indians Mr Bengali. Be proud man. It's ok.

No one cares if you love or hate South Indians. Just behave yourself while you're in the South. And don't speak in Hindi to us, unless you have a fetish for being ignored

LOL I am not touchy...I am just baffled about your gross generalization about how there is nothing good about any North Indian states etc. And then have the audacity to defend it. People like you are classic case who breaks the country with regional divide.

Also, don't worry I have been in South plenty of times and my behaviour has always been exemplary (or as they say). For my friends who cant communicate in Hindi, I speak with them in english...so no issues there.

But stop playing the victim card always and crying about imposition when there is none. No one is imposing hindi on you. Adopting an additional language in a multicultural city like Bangalore or Chennai is not imposition. Your won insecurity and intolerant nature is not able to accept it and you are coining it as imposition to create fake propaganda.

#Fact

 

[KingKhanWC]

Lol it has nothing to do with Hindutva. Most regional languages have same origin of sanskrit which is also the origin of hindi.

Some brit Pakistanis lack the required knowledge yet doesn't hesitate to show their ignorance lol.

Hindtuva is promoting Hindi to be spoken more. RSS leader Amit Shah wasnt talking on the behalf of Liberal Christians of India. They have been pushing for this since the extremist RSS MS Golwalkar stated in the late 50's.

RSS India must be a Hindutva India.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I dont have any skin in this debate but I generally usually agree with Cricketcartoons and disagree with Rajdeep so will default to this position in this thread.

 

[pillionrider]

But stop playing the victim card always and crying about imposition when there is none.

Oh, I'm not surprised to hear you took it that way.

Don't worry, I'm yet to come across a recently arrived North Indian that I didn't know how to handle. So no question really of feeling victimised.

My statement about colour is my opinion which I consider fact. I didn't say it made South Indians feel sad or something

Your won insecurity and intolerant nature is not able to accept it and you are coining it as imposition to create fake propaganda.

Bengaluru has had plenty of students and professionals from the North East, especially in the last two decades. No one has any real issue with them. In fact, most South Indians find them pretty chill people to hang out with. They also have a disproportionately high number of excellent musicians, which is always a good thing.

It's just the Hindi-speaking Northies who try to recreate their villages here that some of us have a problem with

 

[ChennaiFan]

Hindi is not required for those people who speak other languages.

Native language is your identity. It is essential for the culture, traditions, etc. If we start using Hindi as our link language, potentially our native language will die in a few decades.

As a Tamilian who loves Tamil, I have no intention to learn or use Hindi.

 

[Rajdeep]

Oh, I'm not surprised to hear you took it that way.

Don't worry, I'm yet to come across a recently arrived North Indian that I didn't know how to handle. So no question really of feeling victimised.

My statement about colour is my opinion which I consider fact. I didn't say it made South Indians feel sad or something



Bengaluru has had plenty of students and professionals from the North East, especially in the last two decades. No one has any real issue with them. In fact, most South Indians find them pretty chill people to hang out with. They also have a disproportionately high number of excellent musicians, which is always a good thing.

It's just the Hindi-speaking Northies who try to recreate their villages here that some of us have a problem with

Kisko bewkoof bana raha hai bhai? I know you are playing to the gallery here but at least be honest.

North East people are being regularly targeted for their looks and attire in Bangalore. I myself was present there in 2012 when large number of NE students flee Bangalore fearing their lives

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...heast-flee-bangalore/articleshow/15512723.cms

I don't want to drag this topic much bcoz as I said I have nothing but love for South Indian people. But hatemongers like you who looks at thing only from regional perspective makes it very tough to sustain that affection. Have bigger heart my friend and come out of this conservative mindset.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Hindi is not required for those people who speak other languages.

Native language is your identity. It is essential for the culture, traditions, etc. If we start using Hindi as our link language, potentially our native language will die in a few decades.

As a Tamilian who loves Tamil, I have no intention to learn or use Hindi.

It is Tamizh, not Tamil. The tongue has to roll.

The so called hindi speaking states had their own languages, but language imperialism has killed them. The rise of hindi has been at the expense of rajasthani, awadhi, braj bhasha, bhojpuri, maithili, which only have few million native speakers, and hardly and writers left.

 

[cricketjoshila]

English and mother tongue. And frankly speaking why would I learn Hindi given that Bengali is culturally much richer ? The greatest novelists,poets of modern India are almost all invariably Bengali.

Where is hindi in my post?

 

[RajBan]

It is Tamizh, not Tamil. The tongue has to roll.

The so called hindi speaking states had their own languages, but language imperialism has killed them. The rise of hindi has been at the expense of rajasthani, awadhi, braj bhasha, bhojpuri, maithili, which only have few million native speakers, and hardly and writers left.

This is true. Many don't understand this including politicians and periodically give baseless statements.

 

[pillionrider]

Kisko bewkoof bana raha hai bhai? I know you are playing to the gallery here but at least be honest.

North East people are being regularly targeted for their looks and attire in Bangalore. I myself was present there in 2012 when large number of NE students flee Bangalore fearing their lives

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...heast-flee-bangalore/articleshow/15512723.cms

I don't want to drag this topic much bcoz as I said I have nothing but love for South Indian people. But hatemongers like you who looks at thing only from regional perspective makes it very tough to sustain that affection. Have bigger heart my friend and come out of this conservative mindset.

Speak in your mother tongue Bengali man. I'll use Google Translate. Or are you scared of being scrutinized by Cricket Cartoons or Joshila

Oh so you were here in 2012? Man, you are everywhere, every time.

Of course criminals exist here too. Never said we were some Utopia. Lucky actually. Else you'd have chosen this as your karmabhoomi

But you could have done better than to google for attacks in my city and post the first random article you could find. North-easterners, Africans, Northies and others have been attacked individually at different points in time. But this particular fear mongering that you referenced was set off by a bulk SMS

The Centre and the Karnataka government on Thursday swung into action to stem the exodus of people of northeast from Bangalore. The exodus started following rumours that Muslims were planning an attack on people of northeast, post-Eid, to avenge the deaths in ethnic clashes between Bodos and Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam's Kokrajhar.

As a similar, sinister, SMS campaign also did the rounds in Hyderabad, there were reports of panic among the northeastern community settled there. Exodus of NE residents was also reported from Mumbai, Pune and Nashik.

Alarmed at three states witnessing rumour-mongering, the Centre shot off an advisory to the governments of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, asking them to reach out to leaders from northeast and allay their apprehensions regarding the safety of the community.

 

[ChennaiFan]

It is Tamizh, not Tamil. The tongue has to roll.

The so called hindi speaking states had their own languages, but language imperialism has killed them. The rise of hindi has been at the expense of rajasthani, awadhi, braj bhasha, bhojpuri, maithili, which only have few million native speakers, and hardly and writers left.

The correct pronunciation is "Thamizh". I mentioned "Tamil" as it is the widely adopted form in English across the world.

Back to the topic, you have raised a good point on the influence of Hindi on the downfall of regional languages. Learning Hindi is up to the individuals and it should not be imposed on people by making it as the official link language.

 

[Birdman]

It should be up to an individual to speak a language. I remember they tried to make us learn Hindi as third language in the 90’s, and I hated it. For me, Hindi, Urudu, Sanskrit, and Arabic all sound the same and horrible. Hindi is as foreign to me as English, but English has economic value, so learning English has helped me achieve things in life that I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

As a North Indian for whom Hindi is the mother tongue, I will make this clear - the day anyone imposes Hindi as the link language of India, that will be start of the end of India. The problem with Amit Shah types is the lack of understanding of history. Right in your neighbourhood they imposed Urdu on the Bangladeshis, which was the start of the break up of Pakistan.

English needs to remain the link language, not only because it is a neutral language, but also provides significant economic opportunities.

Let’s face it, south and western India is keeping India afloat. These are the states with better Human development index. You can also add North East and Bengal to the list, to an extent.

The break up of East/West Pakistan was destiny in waiting. With no common language, it was always going to be easy for former imperialists and their paid lackeys to push propaganda. Language is key. It is not only a soft power, but ultimately the biggest power in today's world.

 

[Saj]

Why does any country need an official language?

Surely what makes nations great is the diversity within the country and that includes the many languages spoken within it.

 

[MenInG]

New Delhi: Although Hindi is the most spoken language in the country, it cannot be imposed over non-Hindi speaking people as the language has not been mentioned as a "national language in the Constitution", singer Sonu Nigam has said, sharing his views on the controversy that gained national attention following a Twitter exchange between Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and Kannada actor Sudeep Sanjeev last week.

"As per my knowledge, Hindi is not written as a national language in the Constitution of India. I have consulted experts regarding this also. Hindi is the most spoken language in the country, I understand that. Having said that are we aware that Tamil is world's oldest language? There is a debate between Sanskrit and Tamil. People say Tamil is the oldest language in the entire world," Mr Nigam, a Padma Shri awardee, said when asked about his views on the matter.

Mr Nigam said that the controversy will create unwanted tension in the country, which was already facing many internal problems.

"Do we have fewer problems in the country that we need a new one. We are creating disharmony in the country by imposing a language on others, saying you are a Tamilian, you should speak Hindi. Why would they? People should have the right to decide the language they want to speak," Mr Nigam added.

Mr Nigam made the comments during an interaction with Sushant Mehta, the Founder and CEO of BEAST Studios.

"Chodo yaar (Leave all this). Let them chill. A Punjabi should speak Punjabi, Tamil should speak Tamil. If they are comfortable in English, they will speak in that language," said Mr Nigam, who has sung songs in over 32 languages, to loud applause.

"Even in our courts, the judgments are in English. The flight attendants also prefer the language," he said.

Mr Nigam also shared an incident during a flight where the cabin crew member kept speaking in English despite his reply in Hindi.

The heated debate over Hindi as a national language once again made national headlines following a heated exchange between Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and Kannada actor Sudeep Sanjeev on Thursday.

While Mr Sudeep pointed out that Hindi is not our national language, Mr Devgn questioned why movies in south Indian languages are dubbed in Hindi.

The exchange sparked a debate on social media, with politicians joining in too. Mr Devgn, a section of Karnataka leaders alleged, had "blabbered as a BJP mouthpiece".

The pushback to Hindi is not restricted to cinema though. Last month, following Home Minister Amit Shah's pitch to propagate Hindi, several south leaders had warned that any attempt to impose Hindi would backfire.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan and Telangana minister K T Rama Rao were among the leaders who spoke out against Mr Shah's remarks and stressed that unity in diversity is India's strength.

NDTV

 

[gazza619]

^what is a silly debate. Hindi can be declared as national language of India and doesnt need to be made a mandatory subject in school if thats the issue.

 

[JaDed]

^what is a silly debate. Hindi can be declared as national language of India and doesnt need to be made a mandatory subject in school if thats the issue.

Nope.. It will never be National Language would destroy India.

 

[Firebat]

"Hindi Will Reduce Tamils To Shudras": DMK Leader's Shocker

Chennai:
A leader of Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK has controversially called Hindi the language of "yet to be developed states" and has said its imposition will reduce Tamils to the status of "Shudras".

TKS Elangovan, a DMK Rajya Sabha member, has also said that enforcing Hindi in southern states amounts to "Manu Dharma" being imposed.

"Hindi will do us no good. Hindi is not the mother tongue in developed states including West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala," Mr Elangovan said at a meet organized to protest the imposition of Hindi.

"Hindi is the mother tongue in yet to develop states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and newly carved states. Then why should we learn Hindi?"

He also took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has been pitching for Hindi as an alternative to English in India. "Amit Shah had said Hindi as a national language will give it a global identity. 'Unity in diversity' is India's signature identity. Is Amit Shah an Indian? I have a doubt," said the DMK leader.

Mr Elangovan's comments, and his use of the casteist term "Shudras" - used to describe the lowest rung in the caste order, have gone viral.

In Tamil Nadu, allegations that the Centre is trying to impose Hindi is a sensitive subject. The DMK had successfully used the issue to mobilise public support in the 1960s and rise to power.

The State government has even alleged the imposition of Hindi in the National Education Policy 2020 and has made it clear Tamil Nadu will only follow its two-language formula of Tamil and English.

Mr Elangovan said Tamil pride is 2,000 years old and the culture of Tamils was to always practise equality, including among genders.

"They are trying to destroy the culture and trying to impose Manu Dharma through Hindi...this should not be allowed...if we did, we will be slaves, shudras," he said.

Mr Elangovan's comments followed his party colleague and State Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy's recent jibe that Hindi-speaking people were selling "pani puri" in the state, in response to claims that learning the language would fetch jobs.

"Many said you will get jobs if you learn Hindi. Is it so...look here in Coimbatore, who is selling pani puri. It is them (Hindi-speaking individuals)," he had said.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hin...ers-shocker-3042774#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

 

[JaDed]

Hindi has no stand in Tamil Nadu anyway, DMK is being a hater as expected.

I grew up in Chennai and hardly anyone ever Spoke Hindi.

Also so much for “anti-caste” frontier of DMK.

 

[MenInG]

NEW DELHI: An octogenarian man burned himself to death in southern India in protest at what he called New Delhi’s attempts to impose nationwide usage of Hindi, a language mostly spoken in the north, police said on Sunday.

Language is an emotive issue in India where hundreds of languages and dialects are spoken, but English serves as the main official medium while state governments use regional languages.

According to the most recent census in 2011, fewer than half of Indian citizens speak Hindi — just under 44 percent.


But last month a group of parliamentarians headed by the powerful interior minister Amit Shah reportedly recommended making Hindi the national official language, including for technical education such as medicine and engineering.

Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken of a “slave mentality” around the use of English, and promoted the use of Indian languages. But opponents accuse his government of attempting to impose Hindi, causing particular anger in the south.

Most southern Indian languages are Dravidian, a completely different language family to the Indo-European group which includes Hindi. MV Thangavel, 85, a farmer in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, doused himself in petrol and kerosene and set himself alight, police said.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2022