Chennai: At a time when states together with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal are up towards the three-language coverage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi throughout his Independence Day speech emphasised “taking satisfaction in several languages spoken within the nation”.

His assertion comes at a time when two southern states, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are heading to polls in Might 2026 and when states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala are opposing the imposition of Hindi.

Addressing the nation from the Crimson Fort after hoisting the nationwide flag on the event of Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that the range within the nation needs to be celebrated.

Advocating equal significance to each language, he mentioned, “We should always take satisfaction within the totally different languages spoken in our nation. Our nation is crammed with the vibrancy of languages.”

He additionally mentioned he was proud to have conferred Classical Language standing to 5 extra Indian languages—Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit—in October 2024. These languages be a part of different languages like Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odiya within the Classical Language class.

“The extra our languages develop, the extra our information system will likely be enriched. Our language has a lot power, we needs to be happy with all our languages,” the PM mentioned.

This isn’t the primary time Prime Minister Narendra Modi has touched upon the language subject. In 2024, throughout his Independence Day speech, he emphasised the significance of learning in a single’s mom tongue.

“I firmly imagine the brand new training coverage emphasises the significance of the mom tongue. I urge state governments and all establishments within the nation that the nation’s expertise shouldn’t be hindered due to language. Language shouldn’t be a barrier. The power of the mom tongue empowers even the poorest little one in our nation to satisfy their goals,” he mentioned in his 2024 deal with.

Whereas the Prime Minister’s remarks might need been framed as a name for cultural satisfaction, the political context makes them vital. In Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK has strongly opposed any type of Hindi imposition, sustaining a two-language components of Tamil and English. The Tamil Nadu authorities has even rejected the Nationwide Schooling Coverage and launched a separate State Schooling Coverage.

Kerala has additionally voiced comparable considerations, aligning with Tamil Nadu in opposing the try to advertise Hindi over different Indian languages. In Maharashtra, regional events have criticised the perceived marginalisation of Marathi in favour of Hindi and English in central authorities initiatives.

With Tamil Nadu and Kerala heading to Meeting elections in Might 2026, language politics is anticipated to stay a potent marketing campaign subject. The Prime Minister’s reference to the classical standing granted to regional languages, equivalent to Marathi and Bengali, could also be seen a method to handle criticism from the Opposition.

With lower than 9 months to the meeting elections, even impartial cultural statements can purchase political weight within the charged ambiance of South India’s language debate. The Prime Minister’s name to have fun India’s linguistic variety may very well be seen as a political message forward of the meeting elections in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

(Edited by Viny Mishra)

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