Let’s be proud, not ashamed of English

The recent remarks by Home Minister Amit Shah against the English language and linking it to shame are unfortunate and regressive and smack of linguistic chauvinism in a diverse country such as India. The remarks come amid a row in some states that are accusing the Centre of imposing Hindi as part of the National Education Policy’s (NEP) three-language formula.

Speaking at a book launch in New Delhi, Shah said that those who speak English in India would “soon feel ashamed” and that the creation of such a society was not far away. He also underscored that native languages were central to India’s identity and English would be frowned upon as a symbol of colonial slavery across the world.

Before one delves into the significance of English and its role in India, it is crucial to emphasise that some colonial legacies have persisted in India even after 77 years due to a combination of factors, including their perceived utility, the setting up of institutions that favoured these practices and their social and cultural integration into Indian life.

So, should we be ashamed of these “symbols of colonial slavery” that could include not only English but also the game of cricket that has become a deeply ingrained part of Indian culture, even outsmarting the coloniser? What about other colonial legacies such as golf, the many clubs, the vast railway network, the administrative and legal systems, etc.?

Coming to English, love it or loathe it, you cannot ignore it; English has willy-nilly emerged as a link language in India, acting as a unifying factor across India and the world. One could perhaps say it has almost become another Indian language.

According to the 2011 census, only 43.6% of Indians reported Hindi as their mother tongue. About 57% of Indians are estimated to be able to speak Hindi functionally. Hence, to connect with the rest of India and for government-related official purposes, a common language is necessary, and English has served the purpose all along.

If India is a superpower in information technology (IT)
today, it is because of the large pool of English speakers working in this sector and who are globally competitive, a clear advantage we have over countries such as China.

Our constitution is also drafted in English, and the government-established Sahitya Akademi gives out awards annually to those writing in English.

More recently, India sent seven delegations on a diplomatic outreach mission to 32 countries to convey India’s resolve to tackle terrorism. The members, picked from different political parties, were largely English-speaking politicians.

English has become an aspirational language in India, the path towards better education, jobs and progress. Even those working in informal sectors, such as domestic workers, street vendors and construction labourers, send their children to English medium schools. We should be proud of this, not ashamed.

In nearly all the southern states as well as in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, there are more children in English-medium schools than in vernacular schools, according to a report by the Unified District Information System for Education (UNDISE).

Given its status in India and globally today, it is imperative that English remains a medium for communication and continues to serve as an important link language given the linguistic diversity of India.

Of course, while students should have the right to pick the languages of their choice, they should also be encouraged to learn different languages.

Moreover, the government must rise above narrow-minded politics and embrace inclusivity by giving equal importance to the many languages across India and not enforce Hindi in the name of national unity.

Tamil Nadu, which has been at the forefront of the clash with the Centre, has claimed that the BJP was using the NEP not to improve education but to secretly push Hindi. West Bengal too has criticised the BJP over the issue.

In fact, some believe the minister’s remarks are a furtive way of imposing Hindi all over India. As Dalit rights activist Kancha Illiah Shepherd said, it’s part of the RSS-BJP’s larger ideological plan, which has long pushed the idea of one language, Hindi, for one nation. “They’re uncomfortable with how English empowers Dalits, Adivasis, and the poor. English is liberating, and it opens global doors. That’s what scares them. If India becomes more English proficient, caste hierarchies will weaken.

Science, technology, diplomacy — they all operate in English. Why else would S Jaishankar
be our foreign minister? “Because he speaks fluent English, not just Tamil or Hindi,” he told The Federal.

(The writer is a Bengaluru- based independent journalist)