Language plays an important role in forming India's rich culture and diversity. It adds a layer of uniqueness to a world filled with English. Hindi is an important language for India, but we, as Indians, fail to recognize that it is not the only language. The Indian Constitution recognizes 22 languages, and over 120 languages are spoken as mother tongues in India. But lately, many are forgetting their lesser-known languages, making them go extinct. Also, language-related issues have resulted in riots and violent clashes. So, if we think about it, is language uniting or dividing us?
After 1947, political leaders looked forward to the imposition of Hindi, recognizing it as the national language to unify India. But non-Hindi-speaking states opposed this, as they felt it would destroy or harm their culture. The Official Language Act of 1963 left Hindi as the sole official language. This led to mass riots and protests in Tamil Nadu in 1965, which pressured the government to keep English as an associate official language.
Government exams favor Hindi slightly, as many national-level exams offer only English and Hindi as mediums of language creating a disadvantage for non-Hindi and English speakers. Questions in regional language papers are poorly translated or grammatically incorrect, making it hard for non-Hindi speakers who are attempting them. Some government exams also require basic Hindi knowledge, which puts the South and Northeast at a disadvantage. More resources for government exams also have more books in Hindi making it harder for south Indians and east Indians.
Uttar Pradesh has faced the fading of its original regional dialects over time, shifting to Hindi. Although they are quite similar, the true culture of these dialects are disappearing. Before Hindi dominance, UP had multiple widely spoken dialects: Awadhi, Braj, Kannauji, and Bhojpuri. But as education, media, and administration stopped passing down these dialects, Awadhi, Braj, and Kannauji declined. Bhojpuri survived due to strong cultural and film influence. It has also been complimented for its music.
Many people now identify their mother tongue as Hindi, even though their ancestors spoke these dialects. Yes, it was their choice, but Hindi imposition definitely created some fear, as people believed they wouldn’t get jobs if they didn’t speak Hindi because "everyone should speak Hindi."
Belgavi is part of Karnataka but has a large Marathi-speaking population. After Independence, Maharashtra claimed Belgavi as its own, arguing that people speak Marathi. In 1956, the States Reorganisation Act placed Belgavi in Karnataka, which Maharashtra opposed. Over the years, this has dispute has led to violent clashes between Kannada and Marathi speakers over identity. This has led to many fights and deaths. This shows that language can divide people rather than unite them.
Language is deeply personal, and one's upbringing influences how they relate to different languages. Many non-Kannadigas who have lived in Karnataka respect Kannada but naturally feel a stronger connection to Hindi due to their background. However, this does not always mean they support Hindi imposition. Some believe that while Hindi should be an important language, forcing it over regional languages is unfair. This contrast in perspectives highlights that language debates are not just political but also emotional, shaped by identity and personal experiences. This identity describes and makes them, them.
Despite these conflicts, linguistic diversity has also played a role in uniting India. The 1956 reorganization of states along linguistic lines actually strengthened national unity by giving people a sense of belonging while simplifying administration. Language has also helped preserve India’s rich culture, promoting regional music, films, literature, and arts. Many languages like Tamil, Bengali, and Kannada have thriving film and literary industries, giving people a shared cultural identity.
Language has definitely played a dual role in India. It has united and divided us. While preserving our culture, it has also led to conflicts and fading dialects. The fear of losing one's mother tongue is valid, but forcing one language over others only creates resistance and tension.
Instead of pushing only one language, India should embrace every language. Every language—big or small, should be given equal respect and space to thrive. So the question remains: Can we find a balance where language becomes a tool of unity rather than division?