The promotion of Hindi has not sufficiently encouraged the growth of other Indian languages, despite the constitutional commitment to linguistic diversity (“An English professor writes: Why Hindi is to blame for the decline of India’s other languages”).

The three-language policy across the country has also not been uniformly implemented. Students in South India are often required to learn three languages, but many regions in North India follow a bilingual approach.

A uniform bilingual policy may be considered across the country, wherein students learn their respective state language along with English. This will ensure fairness, reduce academic burden and promote effective communication. –ST Ramachandra

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As members of the Singpho community in Assam, we communicate in Singpho. But we have also learnt to speak Assamese, Tai Khamti, Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, English and native tribal languages. This multilingualism is an advantage. Beyond our state, we can communicate in Hindi or English. But we are losing our indigenous languages, especially the younger generations. – Sonabor Duwania

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This is a wrong narrative. English has sidelined local languages because it helps secure jobs and livelihood. Some states have replaced local languages with English or restricted the use of local languages within the premises. The decline in local languages is due to local governments and people themselves who have disregarded their own language and local culture. Hindi has remained in its place. – Satyanarayana JV

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A national language was needed for ease in administration. But the imposition of Hindi was opposed by non-Hindi states for political reasons. Had they accepted Hindi in the 1950s as a second or third language in schools, everyone in India would have understood each other better.

Observations about local languages, such as Avadhi, Bhojpuri, Braj are immaterial when everyone is educated. Any child can learn three-four languages if taught in school. Every local language has its own charm and a common national language can never take it away.

We must encourage our children to learn English and Hindi along with regional languages taught in schools. The language debate will become defunct soon. Our smartphone will be the language of the future, not a language itself. – Girish Kanagotagi

‘Divisive’, ‘false narrative’

Recently Scroll published an article about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh advocating Hindu extremism across the world. But everyone knows Scroll is trying to sell this false narrative.

Now, using the cover of an English professor, you are peddling another damaging false narrative about Hindi, which is India’s national language. It is a shame that many Indians are proud of knowing English. In no other country is such self-deceit happening in the name of democracy and freedom of speech. – Giridhar.

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India is not Europe where every state is divided to a country itself. Sentiments of “my language”, “my culture”, and “my history” will divide the country. A future is possible when a country is united on all aspects. Such divisive tactics, which your organisation is always trying to promote, will not work with this educated generation. – Rahul Tiwari