All Indian languages are national languages: RSS

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological fount of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, on Monday sought to quell the row over languages, and protests against the imposition of Hindi by asserting that all Indian languages are national languages and education should be imparted in the mother tongue.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran

The organisation that will soon celebrate its centenary also discussed the schism between communities in Manipur and expressed hope that peace and normalcy will soon return to the strife-torn state.

“The Sangh has always believed that all Indian languages are national languages and education is being received in their own (mother tongue) language... This is already established in the Sangh,” Sunil Ambekar, RSS chief spokesperson said, addressing the media.

The Sangh functionary’s comment comes in the backdrop of several Opposition-ruled states including Karnataka and Tamil Nadu having accused the Union government of pushing for the use of Hindi; and the state government in Maharashtra having to recall a circular on the teaching of Hindi as the third language in primary schools after protests. On Saturday, the two estranged Thackeray cousins, Raj and Uddhav came together and attacked the BJP-led Mahayuti government for imposing Hindi in schools.

To be sure, the RSS has consistently demanded that the mother tongue be the medium of instruction. The National Education Policy, 2020 also emphasises that the mother tongue be the preferred medium of instruction at least till Class 5.