There will be no threat even if the Hindi language is made compulsory in schools. That’s historically proven. In SSC, way back, every school used to have compulsory Hindi from class 6th to 10th. Yet, not many people learned to speak Hindi throughout their lives. People learn any language out of need and interest.
Some people don’t find the need, and some don’t develop interest. For example, Chiranjeevi, the Telugu megastar, tried to shine in Hindi films with "Pratibandh" and "Aaj Ka Goondaraj." Later, he also became a central minister in the Congress government. However, his Hindi remained very poor, to the extent of attracting trolls. He was never confident in speaking the language, despite having the need.
Now, Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan is the Deputy CM of Andhra Pradesh and is part of the alliance government with TDP and BJP. Even he doesn’t know how to speak Hindi fluently, despite several interactions with national-level leaders.
Akkineni Nageshwara Rao, who had no formal education mastered speaking in English. We all know about Rajamouli, Keeravaani, and Jr. NTR, who were never exposed to life in Hollywood or abroad education or top-notch colleges in India. Yet, they speak very good English. Jr. NTR, for that matter, mastered the American accent as well. Their education is also normal but not high-end. That’s the interest and potential to learn a language that matters.
So, making a language compulsory in schools doesn’t affect the culture and mother tongue of any state. At the same time, there are many people who speak multiple languages despite having no formal education.
The above examples of celebrities are given for understanding, but we also see numerous blue-collar workers who lack primary education but speak three to four languages easily. That’s driven by exposure, interest, and necessity.
Prakash Raj speaks multiple languages. Kamal Haasan also speaks multiple languages, including good Hindi. But both have their own articulation in addressing the compulsory Hindi in schools, based on their political ideologies.
Yes, it’s all politics and nothing else. Taking up Hindi as an issue is purely for political advantage. Here’s what we need to understand:
Stalin, the CM of Tamil Nadu, knows no other language than Tamil. Leave Hindi aside; he doesn’t even know English. He wishes the majority of his state’s population to be the same. Insecure leaders like him fear that if people embrace Hindi, North Indian politicians may influence them, leading to DMK’s downfall. The same insecurity dwells in every regional party head in the South, including Chandrababu Naidu.
When Jagan Mohan Reddy introduced compulsory English medium in government schools, the entire TDP clan opposed it, stating that it was against the mother tongue. Even Venkaiah Naidu of BJP lamented about English education in government schools. The irony is that all the children of TDP and BJP leaders studied only in English medium schools. That’s the hypocrisy, which should be understood as political rubbish.
Pawan Kalyan, who condemned English education in government schools during Jagan’s time, is now welcoming compulsory Hindi education in Andhra Pradesh to align with BJP’s interests as part of the AP government. How hypocritical is that?
There were times when the AP government encouraged Hindi through the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha. It also honored Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, who advocated the need for learning Hindi. When someone from the same community or group does something, it’s considered ideal. When others impose, it’s wrong. When the ‘others’ become allies, it’s right. What a drama!
Yes, Pawan Kalyan once shouted that South India might become another country if the central power plays with language and ruling. BJP was ruling even then. Now, since BJP is part of the alliance, he says the entire India is integrated, and Hindi should be learned by all. Too ludicrous!
Keeping everything aside, even what BJP is doing is politically wrong. They may feel that if South Indians learn Hindi, they can penetrate the South, replacing regional parties. That will never happen. BJP should choose strong regional leaders to communicate with the public and promote BJP in the South. Not doing that and imposing Hindi will backfire due to strong regional leaders in place.
Look at what happened with the rupee symbol in Tamil Nadu. What if Tamil Nadu starts a protest, stating that they will boycott GST and keep state tax revenue to themselves? What kind of situation may arise from such financial rebellion? If the center imposes sanctions on Tamil Nadu, the turmoil will only strengthen DMK further. In a way, BJP should stop its adamant nature regarding Hindi. Otherwise, situations may worsen, leading to movements in Tamil Nadu resembling the Khalistan movement, seeking a separate nation.
Whatever it is, so far, BJP has helped DMK strengthen with the Hindi issue. Hope they correct their mistake if they wish to be politically correct.
Finally, this is in no way connected to people, and sane minds need to enjoy this as a funny political drama without getting into unnecessary emotions. No one can stop you from learning any language, and no one can force you to do so. And no culture or mother tongue is going to be affected any way with this drama.
-Usha Chowdhary
