THE EFFECTS OF LINGUISTIC INTOLERANCE ON NATIONAL INTEGRITY

Recently, Bengaluru has experienced a notable increase in language conflicts, which has been intensified by a recent social media post.

- DR. ALISHA VERMA & DR. MONA MAHECHA

A woman expressed disapproval of Swiggy's failure to employ delivery personnel who speak Kannada, therefore igniting a renewed contentious discussion over language preferences in Karnataka. Her comments have intensified the continuing debate between insiders and outsiders, as many local residents advocate for giving preferential treatment to Kannadigas in terms of employment opportunities. Although language pride is permissible, such occurrences give rise to apprehensions regarding discriminatory attitudes, particularly in a multicultural metropolis such as Bengaluru. The current article examines the consequences of such intolerance, underscoring the need of fostering inclusiveness and cohesion in India's heterogeneous social structure.

Intolerance based on language has been a concern in Karnataka for some time. A similar dynamic existed in the past with many people who are not native Kannada speakers, and the criticism they faced for failing to blend into the local language and culture. The topic of regional languages has also become delicate in the southern states, where similar emotions have been observed. The locals' need for linguistic conformity is a symptom of a bigger problem with exclusion and separation, as these incidents repeatedly demonstrate.

These kinds of thinking make India a less friendly place for foreigners and go against the multicultural and multilingual identity's unifying principles.