Shah's anti-English position harms India
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's denunciation of the English language is ill-conceived and uninformed, and will only work against the country's unity and development. Speaking at the launch of a book by a former civil servant in Delhi on Thursday, Shah said, ''The time is not far away for people speaking in English in the country to feel ashamed'. The prejudice against English is part of the ideology and politics of his party, and Shah has only given expression to it. He is right in saying that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture, but wrong in dismissing the role of English as a linking and unifying language. He is also right in saying that we should take pride in our languages, but pride in one's own language need not translate into shame about another language. Languages are not zero sum games, and the knowledge of another language does not mean degradation or devaluation of the mother tongue. Languages gain by interaction. All Indian languages have enriched themselves from their interaction with English. .English not a shame but power: Rahul Gandhi hits back at Amit Shah's remarks, says discouraging it to deny opportunities .English is spoken by over 100 million people in the country, and the number exceeds the number of speakers of most other languages. It is the official language in many states. India is also said to have the second largest English-speaking population in the world. English has served as the official and link language for centuries in our country, which speaks richly diverse languages. It is difficult to imagine English losing its status in the near future, going by the people's attitude towards it. The usefulness and popularity of a language don't always depend on government policies. People's relationship with language is a sensitive matter and governments should handle it with care and caution. .Shah's tirade against English should also be seen in context of the efforts of the central government and the BJP to promote Hindi aggressively. This has resulted in apprehensions about domination of Hindi in non-Hindi states. English was the language of power in India during colonial times but after the British left, it serves as a link language, with an equal relationship with all languages of the country. The replacement of English would lead to its place being taken up by Hindi, which comes with political baggage. English is also India's window to the world in every respect, and closing that window would hurt and set the country back. Shah says India cannot be imagined with a foreign language. But the idea of India is not static--it has room for English, which is no longer considered a foreign language.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Murugan conference begins, BJP hits out at DMK for ‘hurdles'
The courts delivered justice for the massive conference held for Tamil deity Lord Murugan in Madurai, BJP state chief Nainar Nagendran said on Sunday while accusing the ruling DMK for trying to obstruct the event. Murugan conference begins, BJP hits out at DMK for 'hurdles' 'We organised this (the conference) to protect our culture. We may not have got justice from the DMK government but we got justice from the courts and the conference is a huge success,' said Nagendran. The Muruga Bakthargalin Aanmeega Maanadu (Spiritual Conference of Devotees of Murugan) was embroiled in controversy, with the Tamil Nadu police imposing several conditions, including restricting the 11-day programme to three days. On June 13, the Madurai bench of the Madras high court, granted permission for the event but asked the Hindu Munnani to comply with the conditions laid down by the police in Madurai. The conference organised by right wing outfit Hindu Munnani with the backing of the BJP was held under tight security as scores of people thronged to visit the replicas at the venue made of six abodes (known locally as Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan that's present across Tamil Nadu. The conference to celebrate the Tamil deity was attended by Andhra Pradesh's deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, former BJP state president K Annamalai and the BJP's ally and Tamil Nadu's main opposition, the AIADMK. 'Certain groups who make fun of our culture and faith and call it secularism will disappear,' Kalyan said speaking in Tamil. Union home minister Amit Shah who on June 8 from Madurai urged people to participate in large numbers is likely to visit TN again in July - his third since April- ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. Shah, in his speech a week ago, drew in Lord Murugan over the Thiruparankunram issue. In February, there was tension at a temple (one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan) in Thiruparankundram near Madurai after members of Hindu Munnani held a protest against a demand by a few Muslim organisations to rename the hillock, which is also home to a dargah as Sikander malai (hillock). At the time, the residents belonging to the Hindu and Muslim communities said that they have coexisted peacefully for generations. But Shah said that the DMK had insulted Hindu worshippers here. 'Five lakh people have come today to Madurai for the conference for our ideology despite knowing that they will get wet in the rains today. This is a warning for the ruling government,' Annamalai said. He added that the Hindu religion was under threat referring to the attack in Pahalgham and India's response to Operation Sindoor. This is not the first time that the BJP has drawn in on Lord Murugan. The party made a similar outreach through the vetri vel yatra (victorious spear held by Lord Murugan) which was launched by then president of the BJP state unit L Murugan trying to appropriate the significance of the deity before the Tamil Nadu assembly elections in the yatra received a tepid response, it became the talking point as the then state government, led by BJP's ally the AIADMK, denied permission for the yatra. BJP leaders defied orders and courted arrest as they carried on with the yatra for three weeks across Tamil Nadu. Later, 'Vetrivel, Veeravel' became the BJP's war cry during the election campaign. BJP national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Shah began their rallies by raising the slogan. Sunday's conference comes a year after the DMK, known to have been established with rationalist tenets, also organised a conference for Lord Murugan last year. Last August, the DMK government organised a two-day conference on Lord Murugan as part of its efforts to oppose the BJP painting them as anti-Hindu and to manage the fallout of deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's controversial remarks against Sanatana Dharma.
The Print
32 minutes ago
- The Print
Centre, Karnataka to jointly compensate mango farmers in state for losses due to fall in prices
According to an official statement on Saturday, the decision was taken during a video conference between Chouhan and Karnataka Agriculture Minister N Chaluvaraya Swamy. The compensation will be provided for a quantity up to 2.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes, which is 25 per cent of the total production in Karnataka. New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) The Central and Karnataka government have decided to jointly compensate mango farmers of the state, for a total quantity up to 2.5 lakh tonnes, in view of decline in prices of this fruit in the open market. Chouhan has provided significant relief to mango farmers in Karnataka who have been troubled by steadily falling prices, it added. 'To address the drop in mango prices, the central and state governments will jointly bear the cost of the price difference and pay that to the farmers,' the Union agriculture ministry said. Union Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi also participated in the virtual meeting. During the discussions, both ministers agreed to compensate farmers for the price difference on 2.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes. Previously, the Karnataka government had submitted a proposal to the Government of India, stating that prices for tomatoes and mangoes, particularly the Totapuri variety, had been falling steadily. As part of the meeting held on Saturday, the discussions were held on providing compensation for up to 2.5 lakh metric tonnes out of Karnataka's estimated total mango production of 10 lakh metric tonnes. Since farmers were receiving much lower-than-usual prices for Totapuri mangoes, it was decided in the virtual meeting that the difference in price from the usual market rate would be borne equally by the Centre and state governments under a central government scheme. During the discussions, Karnataka's agriculture minister noted that while tomato prices were low at the time the proposal was submitted, prices have now stabilised, so no immediate action is needed for tomatoes. Swamy thanked the Union minister for taking this decision to support and provide relief to mango-producing farmers in the state. PTI MJH TRB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
32 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Morning digest: June 23, 2025
Iranian Parliament votes to close vital Strait of Hormuz after U.S. strikes on nuclear sites, disruptions likely to impact oil prices for India Iran's Parliament, the Majlis, has reportedly approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the attacks by the U.S. on Iranian nuclear facilities, the country's state-owned media PressTV reported on Sunday (June 22, 2025), citing Esmaeil Kowsari, a member of the Majlis. According to the report, the final decision on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz lies with Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and is one of the world's most important oil trade routes. India imports about 80% of its oil requirement, meaning that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz will likely impact the price of oil that India purchases. The Strait of Hormuz is also a vital trade route for ships travelling to and from India. United Nations chief warns of cycle of retaliation after U.S. bombs Iran United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned Sunday (June 22, 2025) against yet 'another cycle of destruction' and retaliation following the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, which he said marked a 'perilous turn' in the region. 'I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East,' the secretary-general told an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. 'The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction. And yet, we now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation,' he added. 'Anti-Naxal' campaigns to continue in monsoon, says Amit Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (June 22, 2025) said that for the first time, 'anti-Naxal' operations would continue during the monsoon even as he reiterated his appeal that Naxals lay down arms and join the mainstream. 'Every time during the rainy season, Naxalites used to get rest, but this time, we will not let them sleep during monsoon and we will move further to achieve the target of 31/3 (2026, to eliminate Naxalism_,' Mr. Shah said, laying the foundation stone for the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) campus and a Central Forensic Science Lab in Chhattisgarh's Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. India debunks claims of U.S. using Indian airspace for Iran strikes, PIB Fact Check confirms India on Sunday (June 22, 2025) dismissed as 'fake' claims by certain social media handles that the U.S. fighter jets used Indian airspace to launch strikes against Iran. The U.S. bombed three nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday (June 22, 2025), with U.S. President Donald Trump warning of additional strikes if Iran retaliates. 'Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian airspace was used by the United States to launch aircraft against Iran during Operation #MidnightHammer. This claim is fake,' PIB Fact Check said in a post on X. NIA nabs one more in Maoist revival conspiracy case The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday (June 22, 2025) arrested a key accused involved in the attempts to revive a Communist Party of India (Maoist) Northern Region Bureau (NRB) terror module. The agency also seized digital devices, including hard drives, pen drives, and mobile phones, as well as other 'incriminating' material during a search in the West Delhi house of the accused person identified as Vishal Singh, originally from Uttar Pradesh's Mathura. 'Investigations have revealed that the accused, a member of the CPI (Maoist), had delivered a drone to leaders of the banned terror outfit in Chhakarbanda/Panchrukhiya forest area of Bihar to further its anti-national activities,' the probe agency said. INS Tamal, India's last imported warship, to be commissioned on July 1 The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate INS Tamal on July 1 at Kaliningrad in Russia. This will be the last warship of the Indian Navy to have been built outside India and the eighth in the series of Krivak-class frigates inducted from Russia over the past two decades. The ceremony will be presided over by Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh in the presence of several high-ranking Indian and Russian government and defence officials. ECI considers intensive house-to-house verification to update electoral rolls before Bihar Assembly election Amid allegations by Opposition parties over alleged manipulation of voter rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday (June 22, 2025) said it was contemplating intensive house-to-house verification for the revision of electoral rolls before the upcoming Bihar Assembly election. This approach is being considered as, in the past, persistent concerns have been raised by various civil society organisations, political parties, and agencies on the inclusion or deletion of names of electors from the rolls, sources in the ECI said. Another flight from Iran carrying 311 Indians lands in Delhi; over 1,400 evacuated so far India on Sunday (June 22, 2025) evacuated more than 300 Indian nationals from Iran amid the escalating tensions between the Persian Gulf nation and Israel following the U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said 311 Indians landed in Delhi on a special flight from the Iranian city of Mashhad. With the fresh batch of evacuees, the total number of those brought back from Iran now stands at 1,428. Three-hundred eleven Indian nationals arrived in New Delhi on a special flight from Mashhad at 4:30 p.m. on June 22, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. DGCA launches comprehensive safety audit to ensure aviation safety The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive safety audit to provide a holistic evaluation of the aviation sector by meticulously examining safety, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. The aviation regulator's new audit framework is expected to proactively identify systemic vulnerabilities, enhance resilience and ensure strict adherence to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and India's national aviation objectives. The move to strengthen the safety infrastructure comes days after the tragic crash of London-bound Air India flight AI-171 moments after takeoff in Ahmedabad. Air India to temporarily reduce flights operated with narrow-body planes on 19 routes Air India on Sunday (June 22, 2025) said it will temporarily reduce 118 weekly flights operated with narrow-body planes on 19 routes and suspend services on three routes. The announcement comes days after the Tata Group-owned carrier said it will cut international flights operated with wide-body planes by 15% temporarily. In a statement, the airline said it is going for 'temporary cuts of less than 5% to its overall narrow-body network'. It said, 'This voluntary decision leads to the temporary suspension of Air India's services on 3 routes and reduction of frequency on 19 routes. The changes are effective until at least 15 July 2025.' U.S. travel advisory warns citizens of crime, rape, terrorism in India, urges 'increased caution' The U.S. has issued an advisory for its citizens travelling to India, urging 'increased caution' due to crime and rape, and advising them not to travel to certain parts of central and eastern parts of the country due to terrorism. The travel advisory issued last week states that 'rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India' and violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations. It added that terrorists, who target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls and government facilities, may attack with little or no warning. The advisory also tells U.S. citizens not to travel to parts of Central and East India 'due to terrorism.' Iranian ambassador says U.S. 'decided to destroy diplomacy' with strikes on nuclear sites Iran said Sunday (June 22, 2025) that the U.S. 'decided to destroy diplomacy' with its strikes on the country's nuclear programme and that the Iranian military will decide the 'timing, nature and scale of Iran's proportionate response'. Iran's United Nations ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, spoke to an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council hours after the U.S. inserted itself into Israel's war against Iran by striking three nuclear sites inside the Islamic Republic. U.S. President Trump hints at potential regime change in Iran The Trump administration on Sunday (June 22, 2025) sent a series of conflicting messages to Iran — with U.S. officials initially indicating a willingness to resume negotiations after a surprise attack on three of the country's nuclear sites and President Donald Trump talking up the possibility of regime change. 'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change', but if the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn't there be a regime change?' Mr. Trump posted on social media. 'MIGA!!!' At least 20 dead in Syria church attack; Government blames Islamic State At least 20 people were killed Sunday (June 22, 2025) in a suicide attack on a church in Damascus, authorities said, with Syria's Interior Ministry blaming a member of the Islamic State group. The international community condemned the attack, the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, and the first on a church there since the country's civil war erupted in 2011. The Interior Ministry said in a statement that 'a suicide attacker affiliated with the Daesh (IS) terrorist group entered the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa area of the capital Damascus, where he opened fire and then blew himself up with an explosive belt'. Over 100 firefighters battle large wildfire on eastern Greek island of Chios More than 100 firefighters assisted by water-dropping helicopters and planes were battling a large wildfire burning near the main town of the eastern Aegean island of Chios Sunday (June 22, 2025), with emergency services ordering the evacuation of a dozen areas. The fire department said three separate blazes had broken out in the morning and mid-day on Sunday (June 22, 2025) near the town of Chios. The flames were fanned by strong winds, leaving firefighters struggling to contain what turned into one large blaze. The fire department said it was sending an arson investigation team to the island. Ind vs Eng, 1st Test Day 3: Bumrah hands India a slender lead Trying to get near a 471-run first-innings total would have been a steep climb for most sides. But so emphatically did England turn the tables on India that for most of day three of the first Test in Headingley, it was the visitors — despite a rejuvenating, cool breeze blowing across the ground — who resembled a pack of tired cyclists staring at a hulking mountain. England, from an overnight 209 for three, fought India to a standstill, ending its first essay just six runs adrift. For the remaining two days, the forecast is for grey skies. That means India has to bat well, both for time and runs. India showed the stomach for a fight by reaching 90 for two, propelled by a silken K.L. Rahul knock (47 batting, 75b, 7x4). Jasprit Bumrah got a deserved fifer (24.4-5-83-5), but by the time the 31-year-old earned his fourth and fifth wickets.
