Opposition leaders have voiced strong concerns about the government's push for Hindi as a medium of instruction in schools across India, arguing that it could undermine the linguistic diversity of the country. Critics believe that mandating Hindi in educational institutions would disproportionately affect non-Hindi speaking states, particularly in the South and North-East, where regional languages dominate.
The controversy over the NEP’s language provisions has been brewing for months, with political parties, civil society groups, and educators raising alarm about its potential long-term consequences on India’s multilingual identity. Opposition leaders argue that the policy risks marginalising students from non-Hindi speaking regions by compelling them to learn in a language they may not be familiar with, thereby creating barriers to education and social mobility.
Union ministers have countered these claims by emphasising the policy's broader objectives, stating that promoting Hindi is intended to foster national unity and bridge communication gaps between diverse linguistic groups. They assert that the NEP provides flexibility, allowing students to choose between Hindi and regional languages, thus accommodating the needs of different states. Furthermore, government officials argue that promoting Hindi aligns with the vision of making India a global player in the digital economy, where Hindi could play a pivotal role in both domestic and international communication.
As the debate unfolded, Opposition members raised slogans and demanded a rollback of the Hindi imposition, accusing the government of undermining India's federal structure. Tensions in the Lok Sabha were palpable, with several MPs engaging in verbal confrontations. Some MPs even disrupted proceedings by rushing to the Speaker's podium, while others sought to make impassioned speeches on the floor of the House.
The government's stance, however, has remained firm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have both reiterated their support for the NEP's provisions related to Hindi, calling it a necessary step for the promotion of national cohesion. The government has also pointed out that the language provisions in the NEP are part of a broader educational reform agenda aimed at improving the quality of education and making it more accessible to all students.
This clash is not the first instance of tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition over language issues. The debate over the imposition of Hindi has been a longstanding political issue in India, with several regional parties repeatedly accusing the Centre of attempting to centralise power and marginalise local cultures. The issue became especially contentious after the Centre's announcement of its plan to introduce Hindi as a compulsory language in schools, which led to widespread protests in several southern states.
The Opposition has demanded that the government abandon its plans to make Hindi compulsory in schools, warning that such a move could spark a backlash from regional parties and ignite further divisions across the country. Some Opposition leaders have even called for a unified approach to resist what they describe as the "forcible" promotion of Hindi, stressing that India’s strength lies in its linguistic and cultural diversity.
While the political confrontation over the language issue shows no signs of abating, the government has made it clear that it will not back down. The Ministry of Education has maintained that the NEP is a forward-looking policy designed to modernise India's education system and enhance the quality of learning across the country.