LINGUISTIC SECULARISM AND LANGUAGE POLICY IN INDIA – POLITY
NEWS: Recently the debate over language policies in India has intensified, particularly in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has criticized the central government for allegedly imposing Hindi at the cost of regional languages like Tamil.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
1. Meaning of Linguistic Secularism
• Definition: Linguistic secularism refers to the equal treatment and accommodation of all languages, ensuring that no particular language is imposed on a group of people.
• Core Principles:
• No language should be given dominance over others, ensuring a fair and inclusive linguistic environment.
• Every citizen has the right to preserve, promote, and protect their language, script, and culture, as recognized under Article 29(1) of the Indian Constitution.
• The state should not impose any language on individuals or institutions but should facilitate an environment where multiple languages can coexist harmoniously.
• Promotes federalism and linguistic diversity, ensuring that India’s multilingual character is respected while maintaining national unity.
• The Supreme Court, in U.P. Hindi Sahittya Sammelan vs. State of U.P. (2014), highlighted that India’s language laws are flexible and accommodative, aiming to secure linguistic secularism rather than enforce linguistic uniformity.
Historical Context of Language Policy
A. Constituent Assembly Debate (1949)
• The Munshi-Ayyangar formula led to the inclusion of Article 343, which declared Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of India, but not as the national language.
• This decision balanced the aspirations of Hindi-speaking states with the linguistic diversity of non-Hindi-speaking states.
B. H.M. Seervai’s Commentary on Language Policy
• H.M. Seervai, a constitutional expert, noted that:
• Although Hindi was spoken by the largest single group, it was not universally spoken across all regions.
• Other Indian languages such as Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, and Gujarati had significant literary and cultural influence.
• Some of these languages were more developed than Hindi in certain respects, particularly in literature, governance, and historical records.
C. Justice Krishna Iyer’s Remarks on Language Imposition
• Former Supreme Court judge Justice Krishna Iyer strongly opposed the forced imposition of Hindi.
• He warned that:
• Linguistic militancy—imposing one language over others—could divide the country and create unnecessary conflicts.
• Federal pluralism, which respects linguistic diversity, would strengthen democratic values and national unity.
Constitutional Provisions on Language
A. Article 351 – Promotion of Hindi
• The Union government has a constitutional duty under Article 351 to promote the development of Hindi to serve as a medium of expression for India’s composite culture.
• However, the courts have clarified that this article does not mandate the imposition of Hindi on unwilling citizens.
B. Allahabad High Court Ruling (1982) – Language in Education
• In the case of Sunil K.R. Sahastrabudhey vs. Director, IIT Kanpur, the Allahabad High Court ruled that:
• No citizen has the right to compel an educational institution to impart education in Hindi or any other particular language.
• Institutions have the freedom to choose their medium of instruction based on academic and practical considerations.
C. Article 29(1) – Protection of Linguistic Rights
• Article 29(1) ensures that all sections of society, whether majority or minority, have the fundamental right to conserve their language, script, and culture.
• This provision is crucial in safeguarding India’s linguistic diversity and protecting regional languages from marginalization.
Supreme Court on Medium of Instruction
A. Case: State of Karnataka vs. Associated Management of Primary & Secondary Schools
• The Supreme Court of India ruled that:
• Students have the right to choose their medium of instruction, as guaranteed under Article 19 (Freedom of Speech and Expression).
• The State government cannot impose a particular language as the medium of instruction at the primary education level.
B. Influence of U.S. Supreme Court Decision
• The judgment was influenced by the U.S. Supreme Court case Pierce v. Society of Sisters of Holy Names (1924), which emphasized that:
• A child is not merely a creation of the State.
• Parents and guardians have the fundamental right to decide the mode and medium of their child’s education.
Language Policy in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
A. Multilingual Education Approach
• The NEP 2020 aims to promote multilingual learning, emphasizing mother tongue-based education while allowing flexibility in language choice.
B. Medium of Instruction in Schools
• Recommended Policy:
• Wherever possible, the medium of instruction should be in the mother tongue, home language, local language, or regional language up to Grade 5.
• Preferably, this should be extended till Grade 8 and beyond.
• Even after Grade 8, the home or local language should continue to be taught as a subject wherever possible.
C. Bilingualism and Cognitive Development
• The policy encourages bilingual education, combining mother tongue with English from the foundational stage.
• Scientific research shows that:
• Young children (ages 2-8) pick up languages quickly.
• Multilingualism enhances cognitive abilities, leading to better problem-solving skills and creativity.
The Three-Language Formula
A. Introduction and Evolution
• The Three-Language Formula is an education policy designed to promote multilingualism and national integration by encouraging students to learn multiple languages.
• It was first introduced in 1968 and has undergone several revisions, including in NEP 2020.
B. Original Three-Language Formula (1968)
• For Hindi-speaking states:
• Hindi
• English
• One modern Indian language (preferably from South India)
• For non-Hindi-speaking states:
• Hindi
• English
• Regional language
C. Revised Three-Language Policy in NEP 2020
• Increased Flexibility:
• States can choose any three languages, ensuring that no language is imposed on any region.
• Promotion of Classical Languages:
• The policy encourages Sanskrit, making it available as an option.
• Other classical languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Pali, Persian, and Prakrit should also be available as choices.
Conclusion: Upholding Linguistic Secularism in India
• The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the principle of linguistic secularism, ensuring that no language is imposed on any section of the population.
• While Hindi has a constitutional mandate for promotion, regional languages enjoy equal protection under the Constitution.
• The freedom to choose the language of education is recognized as a fundamental right, reinforcing India’s pluralistic and democratic ethos.
• India’s linguistic diversity and federal structure must be preserved to maintain unity in diversity, fostering inclusive national integration.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-language-debates-sc-had-voted-for-linguistic-secularism/article69336898.ece