25

Jun

Amit Shah’s English Remarks Rekindle a Tired Debate

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A close-up of a person with glasses AI-generated content may be incorrect.Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the second most powerful leader in the Modi government, sparked controversy on June 19 by declaring, “Those who speak English will soon feel ashamed.” The statement has reignited an unnecessary and dated debate over the role of English in India.

While his motivation can only be speculated upon, it appears Shah’s comments align with the old RSS slogan “Hindu, Hindi, Hindustan,” possibly aimed at appeasing ideological hardliners. His remarks seem to be a political attempt to stir cultural nationalism by pitting Indian languages against English, a global lingua franca.

In contrast, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi offered a more inclusive and practical perspective. “In today’s world, English is as important as your mother tongue because it gives you confidence and employment,” he said. “English is a bridge, not a dam. It’s a tool to break shackles, not a chain. The BJP-RSS do not want the poor of India to learn English because they fear it will empower them to question authority and demand equality.”

Rahul emphasized that all Indian languages carry unique cultural value, but English must be taught to every child to create a confident, competitive, and globally integrated India.

 

Column at a Glance
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent statement, “Those who speak English will soon feel ashamed,” has reignited a contentious debate over the role of English in India. His remarks, perceived as aligning with the RSS's cultural nationalism, contrast sharply with Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi's view that English is essential for confidence and employment. Gandhi argues that English serves as a bridge for empowerment, while Shah's comments risk alienating linguistic minorities, particularly in southern states.
Wednesday Wisdom
By Satish Misra
Historical attempts to diminish English, such as those by the Left Front in Bengal, led to significant educational setbacks. Critics, including Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien, emphasize the importance of linguistic diversity in India. The article suggests that rather than shaming English speakers, the government should promote multilingualism, ensuring that every child can master both their mother tongue and English, which is vital for global integration and economic opportunity.

 

This is not a new debate. In the 1960s, Socialist leaders also sought to ban English, but strong resistance, especially from southern states like Tamil Nadu, led to a consensus that Hindi would not be imposed. The three-language formula eventually emerged as a compromise.

Even Mahatma Gandhi had addressed the issue. Writing in Young India in 1921, he said, “I would have our young men and women learn as much English or other world languages as they like and give the benefits of their learning to India and the world, like Bose, Ray, or Tagore. But I would not have a single Indian feel ashamed of their mother tongue.” Gandhi’s views were inclusive and forward-looking, in sharp contrast to the divisive narrative being pushed by some today.

The irony is hard to miss. In 2025, when artificial intelligence and digital communication are reshaping the world, reducing language to a political football seems regressive. Language is a tool for connection, not a marker of patriotism. India’s growing economic strength and global reputation are significantly tied to its English-speaking workforce. At the same time, China’s rise as a global power has not involved shaming English; many Chinese professionals have been educated in the U.S. and U.K., while the Communist Party maintained pragmatic language policies.

Speaking at a book launch, Shah emphasized native languages, stating, “Our languages are the jewels of our culture. Without them, we cease to be truly Indian.” His argument gained traction among linguistic purists, but his timing raised questions. Southern states, especially Tamil Nadu, have consistently opposed the BJP’s three-language policy, viewing it as a covert attempt to impose Hindi.

Shah’s words echo similar arguments made decades ago by Bengal’s Marxist ideologue, Promode Dasgupta, who led efforts to remove English from primary education. The decision, based on the Himangshu Bimal Mazumdar Commission, claimed that learning two languages early was “unscientific.” The Left Front banned English instruction until Class VI, arguing that English promoted elitism and contributed to dropout rates.

However, the long-term effects were disastrous. A generation of Bengali students struggled with English communication. Urban parents began sending their children to English-medium private schools, creating deep disparities. Eventually, under Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, English was reintroduced in Class I, but the damage had been done. Teachers, products of the ban themselves, were ill-equipped to teach it effectively. The CPM was voted out 14 years ago, but the ghost of that flawed language policy still haunts them.

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien, responding to Shah, said, “In India, 97% of people use one of the 22 constitutionally recognized languages as their mother tongue. This is the 'Unity in Diversity' of our great nation. Amit Shah, PM Modi, and their gang will never understand this.” His comment highlights the danger of conflating linguistic pride with political ideology.

What makes Shah’s stance even more contradictory is that Prime Minister Modi often speaks in English on global platforms, and the government has relied on figures like Shashi Tharoor to represent India in English-speaking countries. The contradiction between global outreach and domestic rhetoric exposes the BJP-RSS’s doublespeak.

Languages, including English, should not be reduced to symbols of elitism or nationalism. Promoting regional languages is important, but not at the expense of a tool that connects India with the global economy and fosters upward mobility. A multilingual India is stronger, not weaker.

Amit Shah would do well to recognize the lessons of history and the practical needs of the future. Instead of making people feel ashamed for speaking English, the government should ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to master both their mother tongue and the global language of opportunity.

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