Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday underscored the vital role of Indian languages in nation-building, declaring that language is not merely a means of communication but the soul of a nation. His remarks came during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Official Language Department held in New Delhi.
Speaking at the event, Shah called for collective efforts to preserve, promote, and enrich Indian languages, especially the official language, Hindi.
“As far as the country is concerned, language is not just a medium of communication; it is the soul of a nation. It is important to keep the languages alive and to enrich them,” Shah stated.
He emphasized that Hindi should not be seen as a rival but as a companion to all Indian languages, and that the combined strength of Hindi and regional languages can elevate India’s self-esteem on the global stage.
“I believe from my heart that Hindi cannot be the enemy of any Indian language. Hindi is a friend to all, and together with other Indian languages, it can drive our self-respect movement forward,” he said.
While advocating the importance of Indian languages, Shah clarified that there is no need to oppose foreign languages but instead encouraged pride in one’s own linguistic heritage.
“There should not be opposition to any foreign language, but there must be pride, insistence, and commitment to speaking and thinking in our own languages,” he added.
Amit Shah also spoke about liberating the nation from the ‘mentality of slavery’, which he linked to linguistic inferiority.
“Until a person takes pride in his language and expresses himself in it, we cannot be free from the mentality of slavery,” he asserted.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives, Shah noted that major national entrance exams like JEE, NEET, and CUET are now offered in 13 Indian languages, ensuring wider accessibility.
“Earlier, CAPF constable exams were only available in English and Hindi. Today, they are conducted in 13 languages, and 95% of candidates are appearing in their mother tongue. This reflects a very bright future for Indian languages,” he said.
The event was also attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, marking a shared commitment across leadership to linguistic diversity and pride.
