Shah’s remarks come at a time when the National Education Policy and attempts to impose Hindi continue to face intense resistance from southern states.
Published Jun 19, 2025 | 5:09 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 19, 2025 | 5:09 PM
Union Minister Amit Shah
Synopsis: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asserted that an Indian society where English speakers “feel ashamed” is not very far. The remarks follow the continued and escalating tensions in southern states against the Centre’s policies that are viewed as imposing Hindi, while English is seen as a bulwark against it.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, 19 June, declared that Indians who speak English will “feel ashamed” in the near future, and that a complete India cannot be imagined “through half-baked foreign languages.”
Speaking at a book launch event, Shah asserted that without native languages, India will cease to exist.
“There is no crisis [with regard to Hindi]. Remember my words, and listen carefully. In our lifetimes, in this country, those who speak English will feel ashamed. The creation of such a society is not very far. Only those people are able to do things who resolve to do them. The languages of our country are the jewels of our culture. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian,” he said, according to ANI.
“To understand our country, our culture, our history, and our religion, no foreign language can suffice. The idea of a complete India cannot be imagined through half-baked foreign languages.”
He continued:
“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.”
Shah further asserted that by 2047, the centenary of India’s independence, the nation would rise to global prominence”
“Friends, for Amrit Kaal Prime Minister Modi has established the foundation of the Panch Pran: creating a goal for a developed India; freeing ourselves from every trace of slavery; taking pride in our heritage; dedicating ourselves to unity; and instilling a sense of duty in all our citizens,” he said.
“I travel the world, speak to many people, and I see that this Panch Pran is not merely a national goal devised by a politician, but has become a resolution for 130 crore people. That is why I say that by 2047, we will be at the top of the global stage. And in that, our languages will play a very important role. Our languages will not only be used in India but also internationally, for global welfare.“
Shah’s remarks come at a time when the National Education Policy (NEP), introduced by the Centre in 2020, continues to face intense resistance from southern states, particularly Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
These states have consistently criticised the NEP as a means of imposing Hindi over regional languages and eroding local culture and heritage.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, on 5 February this year, called for collective pressure on the Union government to withdraw the policy. “We need to protect our federal structure and our languages. The NEP is not suited for Karnataka or for other southern states,” he said, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru.
Tamil Nadu, which has a longstanding history of opposing Hindi imposition, has been a particularly vocal critic.
In May, the Centre admitted to the Madras High Court that it is withholding Right to Education (RTE) quota funds from Tamil Nadu, after the state refused to sign an MoU linked to the NEP, further inflaming tensions.
Academics have also raised concerns over some of the NEP’s original content proposals.
Early drafts suggested the inclusion of Vedic mathematics, Arthashastra, and Pancha Bhoota theories in school curricula, while simultaneously casting doubt on established scientific concepts like the Pythagorean theorem. These ideas drew widespread criticism from educators, who argued they undermine scientific temper and academic rigour.
Language-related discontent is also visible in daily urban life, especially in Bengaluru. The city frequently sees flare-ups on social media over the use – or lack – of Kannada in public spaces – in signages, hoardings, and the lack of Kannada in public services like banks.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
