The Truth Behind Indian Language Policies: Why Tamilians Should Not Learn Hindi?
Considering the wide distribution of linguistic and cultural diversity in India, it is surprising to see that the question of Tamilians learning Hindi often sparks debates. It is interesting to note how the beliefs propagated by policymakers in the North or Hindi-speaking belt can influence such discussions. While many advocate for India’s linguistic unity, it is vital to understand the implications this can have on the rich cultural heritage of Tamil and other regional languages.
Political Influence on Language Policies
Politicians in North India have often pushed the notion of Hindi as India’s national language, although this claim is not without controversy. In many southern states like West Bengal, Karnataka, Telangana, and Kerala, opposition to Hindi imposition is increasing. As a result, the cultural and linguistic identity of these regions is in a state of flux, with people questioning the value of preserving their native languages.
An Unfortunate Metaphor
Consider the following analogy to understand the psychological impact of such policies. In a village, there was a man with a broken nose, who was often teased by other villagers because of it. One day, the man decided to teach them a lesson. He went to the market place and suddenly shouted, 'Come, O God! I am so lucky to see you.' When questioned, he confidently replied that he could see God due to his broken nose. This sheer belief convinced others that the man could indeed see God. Hence, they all decided to get a broken nose to see God, despite no such ability. Similarly, those who advocate for Hindi often impose their beliefs, leading to a situation where Tamilians may forsake their original mother tongues.
Loss of Mother Tongues
When Tamilians choose to learn Hindi, they risk losing their rich and historically significant mother tongues. This loss not only affects linguistic diversity but also cultural identity. It’s like the man in the village—once he adapted to the broken nose, the rest of the villagers started doing the same, but without any real benefit of seeing God.
Historical and Cultural Preservation
It is essential for Tamilians to protect their cultural heritage. Just as the first person with the broken nose became comfortable with his condition, Tamilians have a strong sense to resist any cultural assimilation. By preserving their languages, they uphold the rich history and traditions that define their region.
A Past Exemplar
Let's reflect on a past instance where a Tamilian challenged the imposition of Hindi, even decades ago. In 15 to 20 years before the recent debates, a high-ranking Tamilian official asked the then Prime Minister about the inefficiency of Hindi as an official language. The argument was compelling: in a government office where all were educated, understanding GOs (government orders) in Hindi was impossible. This imposition of Hindi was creating an illiterate class amongst educated people. The official also pointed out that many Hindi-speaking states only had a literacy rate of 50 to 57%, and half of the population was unwilling to learn a second language. Since most people do not move out of their native states, why force them to learn an additional language?
According to the 2011 census, there was indeed an improvement compared to 2001, indicating that efforts to preserve and promote Tamil were fetching results. This shows that when people are empowered to preserve their languages, they can resist the pressure to learn additional languages that do not serve their interests.
It's crucial to recognize that the focus should be on the quality of education in all languages, not the quantity. By preserving and promoting Tamil, and other regional languages, we can ensure that linguistic and cultural diversity in India thrives.