By Dr. Sawraj Singh
India is a multicultural and multinational country. All the different cultures have evolved historically. Language forms the foundation of a culture. Therefore, showing respect for a language means showing respect for a naturally evolved culture. Uniqueness of India lies in the fact that all these historically and naturally evolved cultures are bound together by a common civilization. This common civilization is like a thread which unites all the diverse cultures just as a thread binds different flowers in a garland. Unity of the people can be best maintained by the concept of “Unity in Diversity”. In other words unity can be best achieved by showing respect for the linguistic diversity of India.
Any attempt to impose unity by promoting linguistic uniformity will achieve the opposite results. This approach will be perceived as anti-natural and a threat to their language and culture by the people. If people whose mother tongue is not Hindi, feel that Hindi is being imposed on them then they will oppose and resist it. This is particularly true in the South. Any attempt to impose Hindi on them is not only perceived as a threat to their language and culture but also as a manifestation of Northern Chauvinism. Such attempts will only end in widening the North-South gap.
We can clearly see this when there was a perception that the BJP government is trying to impose Hindi on the non-Hindi speaking states. We are seeing a lot of opposition in Punjab where people are feeling that this policy is posing a threat to the Punjabi language. However, the maximum opposition and resistance to this policy are seen in the South. Karnataka, which has a BJP government, has also made it clear to the center that they oppose this policy.
In an official celebration of the Hindi Day by the Language Department Punjab a heated and ugly argument started between the Hindi and Punjabi writers when some Hindi writers made some derogatory remarks about Punjabi. Later on these writers apologized for making these remarks. However, this incidence triggered many public protests against the imposition of Hindi in Punjab at the cost of Punjabi. Even the Akal Takhat the highest religious authority of the Sikhs condemned the disrespect shown for the Punjabi Language and asked for apology. This incidence shows how much resistance is there when it is felt that people’s mother tongue is not given the respect it deserves and when it is perceived that another language is being imposed over the people.
We have to show sensitivity for the people’s feelings for their language and culture. We cannot impose Hindi over the non-Hindi speaking people. All the languages must be equally respected. Hindi cannot be promoted when implementation of this policy is perceived as forced imposition. This will lead to resistance and opposition rather than acceptance. Hindi can be better promoted by voluntary means when people feel that learning Hindi will add to their convenience and will be useful for them and when they feel that it will not encroach upon the rights of their mother tongue. The best way to promote unity among the people is by following the concept of “Unity in Diversity” of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. We have to show respect for the different languages, cultures and religions.
Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is the Chairman of the Washington State Network for Human Rights and Chairman of the Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice. He can be reached at [email protected].
