Amit Shah in Mumbai: Political differences must be set aside to promote Indian languages

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Monday said respecting, preserving and developing all Indian languages was a firm commitment of the Centre, and called for Hindi to act as a connecting language among the country's diverse regional languages. Shah said the decision.

He highlighted the role of Maharashtra's Ganeshotsav and celebrations commemorating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in fostering cultural nationalism and patriotism across the country. Shah said Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak had given a wider public character to these celebrations.

What Happened

He also recalled Shivaji Maharaj's emphasis on self-rule, religion and language, noting that the Maratha ruler had prepared the Rajvyavahar Kosh for the development and use of Marathi. Referring to Vande Mataram, Shah said Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's song, written during the period.

• He said the 'Hindi Shabd Sindhu' dictionary, which initially had 51,000 words, had now expanded to eight lakh words.

• Shah expressed confidence that it would become the world's largest dictionary by 2029.

• Shinde said the use of Hindi in Central government work had increased significantly compared with the period before 2014 and called for its wider use in science, technology, policing, law, and the judiciary.

Key Details

Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had revived the tradition of presenting the full version of Vande Mataram at government functions and had honoured Maharashtra's historical identity by granting Marathi classical-language status. Emphasising the importance of the mother tongue, Shah said it.

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation also released 'Navanvesh: Bharatiya Gyan Parampara'.

• During the event, Shah launched several books and publications, including a special Vande Mataram issue of 'Rajbhasha Bharati', 'Shiv Anadi, Shiv Anant', 'Bharatiya Gyan Tantra: Srot aur Swaroop', 'Andheron Se Ujalon Tak' and 'Vande.

• She also said Mumbai and Navi Mumbai were examples of diverse linguistic communities living together harmoniously and called for government language to remain simple and easily understood by the common person.

Why It Matters

He said the National Education Policy had emphasised education in the mother tongue at the primary level. At the same time, every student should learn at least one other Indian language to strengthen their connection with the country, he said.

• She said Ganeshotsav promoted unity by bringing people together.

• Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar stated that holding Hindi Diwas on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi was a significant coincidence.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Mid-Day as more details emerge