Mentality of slavery: Amit Shah reiterates call to embrace Indian languages

India Today

5 hours ago

Days after stirring controversy with his remarks on English, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday reiterated his call to embrace Indian languages, insisting that linguistic pride is essential to shedding the "mentality of slavery"."There is no opposition to any language. There should not be opposition to any foreign language. But there must be an insistence to glorify our own language, to speak in it, and to think in it," the Home Minister said while speaking at an event in New Delhi.advertisement"We must get rid of the mentality of slavery. Until a person takes pride in his language and expresses himself in it, we cannot be free from that mindset," he said.
Describing language as the "soul of a nation", Shah called for efforts to preserve and enrich all Indian languages — particularly the official one. "We should keep our languages alive. This is not just about communication, this is about our national identity," Shah said.The BJP leader's fresh remarks came in the wake of a political firestorm triggered by his comments last week, where he said that "those who speak English will soon feel ashamed". At a book launch event last week, the Shah had argued that India's future should be built on the foundation of its native tongues."In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed, the creation of such a society is not far away. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian. To understand our country, our culture, our religion, no foreign language can suffice," he said.advertisementHe had also asserted that "a complete India cannot be imagined through half-baked foreign languages", expressing confidence that Indian society would eventually reject linguistic dependency on English."In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed - the creation of such a society is not far away. I believe that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian," Shah had said."I am fully aware of how difficult this battle is, but I am also fully confident that Indian society will win it. Once again, with self-respect, we will run our country in our own languages and lead the world too," he added.The remarks drew a sharp response from the Opposition. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi countered that English was "as essential as your mother tongue", saying it secures employment and builds confidence. He accused the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of keeping poor children from learning English. "They don't want you to ask questions, move forward, or stand equal".The row over Shah's comments has reignited broader tensions around language policy, especially amid allegations from several southern and opposition-led states that the Centre is trying to impose Hindi through the New Education Policy's three-language formula.- EndsMust Watch