A Concerning Conundrum

The re-emergence of India’s language debate, primarily sparked by resistance to the NEP’s three-language formula, has exposed deep federal tensions and cultural anxieties alongside challenging national integration

- FR. JOHN FELIX RAJ & PRABHAT KUMAR DATTA

The language issue, dormant for years, has resurfaced following the Tamil Nadu government's refusal to join the PM SHREE initiative to set up model schools under the three-language formula of the National Education Policy (NEP). The state government perceives this as an attempt to impose Hindi, fearing it will eventually decimate English as a pan-Indian official language. The Centre has reportedly withheld Rs 575 crore in response. This move has sparked a heated debate, highlighting the complexities of language politics in India.

Federalism at Stake This retaliatory action raises questions about cooperative federalism in India. Given the strong emotional dimension of language and the state government's closeness to its people, this issue should have been left to the state's discretion. The national government should have restricted itself to providing necessary funds and advice. In a decentralised governance system, this approach would have yielded better development outcomes. The Centre's actions have instead created a sense of mistrust, potentially damaging the federal structure of our country.

Maharashtra's Decision Sparks Debate The Maharashtra government's decision to include Hindi as a third language in state-run primary schools has triggered a political debate. The state's political history is intertwined with Marathi identity assertion, and demographic shifts due to migration from Hindi-speaking states have rekindled linguistic identity. The Ashmita issue gains momentum in many states during elections, strengthening linguistic identity. Notably, erstwhile adversaries in Maharashtra have joined hands to oppose this initiative, highlighting the complexities of language politics in the state.