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India is not just a country only but a universe of linguistic, religious, ethnic, cultural and festival diversity. Despite this amazing variety of diversity, a sense of "Indianness" persists all over the country, which is a model of Unity in Diversity for the entire world. Indianness is the most powerful thing to unite all types of diversity under one umbrella. But this diversity is not just a feature of India; it's its very essence. Overcoming this diversity is a continuous, complex and sometimes challenging process, but it is what makes the country uniquely resilient and endlessly fascinating.

Language plays an important role in politics, from our childhood; language has played a crucial part in our society, as well as in cognitive development and our identity formation. The language that we use illustrates so much about ourselves, including who we are and where we are coming from.

With 22 scheduled languages and hundreds of regional dialects, language in India is not just a means of communication– it is a symbol of identity, culture and politics. However, this diversity often leads to conflict, especially when language becomes a political tool. The tension between promoting a national language and preserving regional languages has posed significant challenges to national unity. Nevertheless, India’s democratic principles and constitutional vision provide a path forward through unity in diversity.

Linguistic Diversity in India

India’s linguistic landscape is one of the most diverse in the world, with hundreds of languages spoken across its regions. By 'language" is meant a system of mutually intelligible vocal symbols by which the members of a society communicate. It is the medium of human thought, feeling, thinking and creativity. Any language that keeps alive is its literature. Language is the wealth of the human mind or thought, and the mother tongue is its spiritual connection. "Written language" is a special kind of language. "Dialect" is the speech system of a regionally or socially defined group, marked by a combination of shared linguistic features; such dialects may form a chain, so that speakers of widely separated links cannot understand one another. Language plays a crucial role in shaping social dynamics, political power, and cultural identity in the country. It even plays a very crucial role in the lives of human beings. It is mainly used to communicate, in addition to expressing feelings and state of mind. This process has helped people to dominate, subordinate, exploit, enslave, and colonise others at different times and places. Consequently, it empowered some sections of society and disempowered others. In the power game, it shapes ideas that consequently create social, political, religious, and economic structures. (Carter,1998) In this regard, it argues that language is power, life, and the instrument of culture, the instrument of domination and liberation.

However, India is composed of numerous semi-national states, each with its own dialects, ethnocentric prejudices, and distinctive profile. India, a country of 1.37 billion people and more than 100 languages and dialects, is a melting pot of multiculturalism. Most of the citizen of this country possesses more than one identity. These identities are based on nation, religion, language and regional ethos. These small practices across the length and breadth of India make it culturally diverse and prevent it from being a country of one religion, one language, one culture or one region while carrying its unique "unity in diversity" philosophy. This plurality is not accidental—it reflects centuries of cultural evolution, migration, and local governance structures. This linguistic diversity is India's wealth, and the basis of this country's federalism.

Historical and Contemporary Context:

The country's linguistic diversity is a result of its complex history, geography, and cultural heritage. In a large part of history, the Indian subcontinent was divided into many small kingdoms. The Indo-Aryan and Dravidian language families primarily divided India into the northern and southern parts, respectively. Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman languages are also spoken in India, though in relatively smaller numbers. They were primarily concentrated in the northeast and part of Orissa. The Aryan invasion brought Vedic Sanskrit with it, which served as the language of inter-regional communication in India until the 13th century, when Muslim invasions in northern India occurred. Thereafter, Persian became the official language in India. However, during the 17th and 18th centuries, Hindi as well as Urdu were more in practice for interregional communication. English was the last foreign language in India, which is till date continues to play a prominent role in Indian life. This has helped spread many common linguistic features among Indian languages without allowing any particular language to become overwhelmingly dominant. (Baldridge, 1996)

Right now, India represents a unique case in the current global linguistic scenario, as it is the only country in the world with 22 official languages. India doesn’t have a national language. The 8th Schedule is a part of the Indian Constitution listing the official languages of the state. When the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India, there were 14 languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution: Hindi, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Dogri, Assamese and Sanskrit. The original aim of naming some languages in the Constitution seemed to be to prepare a list of languages to be used in administration and the expression of science and technology in independent India (Singh, 2020). Additionally, another amendment of the Official Language Act in 1967, the languages of the 8th Schedule gained in prestige because the constitutional changes made them equals of Hindi. Since 1950, there have been three amendments to the 8th Schedule: Sindhi was included through the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 21 in 1967, Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali through the Amendment Bill No. 71 in 1992, and Maithili, Santali, Bodo and Dogri through Amendment Bill No. 100 in 2003 (ibid). As a result of these amendments, India currently has 22 official languages. Interestingly, English, which is de facto the most important language in India, does not feature in the 8th Schedule because it is not an Indian language. States are free to choose their official languages from this list, and hence, all states have their own different sets of official languages.

According to the 2011 Census, over 19,500 languages or dialects are spoken as mother tongues. While Hindi is spoken by around 44% of the population, the majority of Indians speak a variety of regional languages as their first language.

But the promotion of Hindi as the national language has frequently met resistance in several non-Hindi-speaking states such as Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Karnataka. Many of these states view Hindi imposition as a threat to their linguistic and cultural autonomy. This opposition has manifested in protests, political movements, and legal challenges against policies mandating the use of Hindi in administration, education, and public communication.

Contemporary Challenges

As we know, India is a vast and diverse country. Such as a great poem of Hindi expressed that, Char kous par pani badle, At kous par bani/ Bis kous par pagri badle, Tis kous par dhani. That means, India is such a diverse country where in four yards the test of water changes, and language changes in the eight yards. That means, the identity of people changes so quickly as the identity theory of Henry Tajfel and Amartya Sen. Therefore, a 32,87,263 square km vast country needs one official language to rule over the country to coexist with each other. But what will be the national language? To solve this question, the politicians saw the census. The constitutional position on this issue is mentioned under Article 343, which clearly states that the official language of India should be Hindi in the Devanagari script, along with English. However, clause 2 of Article 343 also mentions that the official position of English will be temporarily available for only 15 years from the date of commencement. However, later, Parliament, through the Official Languages Act, 1963, extended the operation of English even after this period. According to the 2011 census, Hindi is spoken by around 52 crores or 43.63% of the total of 121 crores of Indians. The other 21 scheduled languages are spoken by 67.7 crore people (Khan, 2019). However, India adopted a language policy that sought to balance the linguistic diversity of the nation while promoting Hindi as the official language. The language policy aimed to unify the country but often led to tensions between Hindi-speaking and non-Hindi-speaking regions. Despite the recognition of multiple languages, Hindi has historically been the dominant language of government, education, and media. This has led to feelings of marginalisation and exclusion among non-Hindi-speaking communities. Even neglect of tribal, indigenous and minority languages, especially those spoken by tribal communities, faces extinction due to lack of institutional support. Education, media, and governance in dominant languages can marginalise these communities. Another challenge is Digital Divide and Language Access; with the rapid digitisation of services and information, there is a growing need to make content available in diverse Indian languages. A lack of multilingual digital infrastructure can deepen inequality.

Language Conflicts and Reasons:

Language in Electoral Politics:

Political parties in India often use language as a strategic tool to mobilise voters and consolidate support. Regional parties frequently emphasise linguistic identity to gain electoral advantage, while national parties must navigate the complex linguistic landscape to appeal to diverse voter bases. These dynamic influences campaign strategies, policy formulation, and governance. One of the lively examples of it that recently, on 21st July, CM of WB, Mamta Banarje, said that it is the right time for Bengali citizens to be unity again to continue a language movement against the double engine government. Right now, many Bengali Muslim workers and masons are attacked in double-engine government states like Haryana, Bihar and so on. On the other hand, the BJP also try to make the Hindi language a National Language of India. They argued that Hindi is the most spoken language in India. Then why will it not be a national language? In reply, the opposition team argued that yes, it is correct that Hindi is the most spoken language in India, but not a majority language. According to the last census of India, Hindi-speaking persons are 44% and other languages spoken persons are 56%. That means, out of 10 people in India, 6 people speak in non-Hindi language. One of these, the Bengali language, is the second most spoken language in India. Its percentage is 8.03%. Actually, as much as 'Hindi imperialism' is 'Hindu imperialism' or more than that. The non-Hindi speaking states, particularly in the South, feared that this would marginalise them educationally, culturally and economically. This led to massive anti-Hindi agitations, most notably in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Linguistic Identity:

Language plays a crucial role in shaping regional identities and political movements in India. States have often used language to assert cultural and political autonomy. States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal have historically used language as a basis for political organisation and regional pride. The Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu, for instance, was driven by resistance to the imposition of Hindi and a desire to promote Tamil as a symbol of regional identity and autonomy.

Language in Education:

The medium of instruction in schools and universities significantly impacts educational outcomes. States with minority languages often struggle to provide quality education in their languages, leading to disparities in educational attainment and opportunities. Policies promoting Hindi or English as the medium of instruction can marginalise non-Hindi and non-English speakers. Such as, One of the Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra core objections to the NEP is its insistence on adopting a three-language formula (which suggests learning Hindi, English, and a regional language) in schools. Language is the main vehicle of higher education. Emphasising Hindi will lead to a shortage of English learning, which will deprive citizens of employment opportunities in the future, and for those students’ mother tongue is Hindi, they will pass easily in any competitive exams. So, there will be discrimination between citizens, which is never allowed by the Indian Constitution.

The Way Forward: Embracing Unity in Diversity

To overcome these challenges, I would like to say that I am not against Hindi and never will be, and other citizens should also be like me. Nor am I asking for Hindi to be abandoned; rather, the country will be stronger if all Indian languages are properly promoted. There is no big or small, high or low in language. Just because the road is written in Bengali, it is bigger than Sanskrit or Spanish; there is no meaning in such a statement. Prejudice towards one language, disdain for other languages. This verbal violence must be avoided, no matter what. Respect for tradition remains incomplete if respect for language is not shown. Hence, if we are to keep alive our ancient philosophy, our culture, and the memory of our freedom struggle, we must strengthen our local language perfectly. All Indian languages are our pride and heritage. We cannot move forward without enriching them. There must be pride and honour in the language, but it should never be used to violate the rule of law. So, let English serve as a bridge between the official languages of India. Thoroughly, it will be beneficial for a federal system’s country. Actually, a language that has greater political and economic prestige also has greater social influence. The way to stop the advance of a language is not to attack other languages, but to strengthen the political and economic power of one's own language. This move aims to integrate Hindi more closely into the fabric of national unity. So, we can say that India’s linguistic diversity need not be a source of division—it can be a foundation for inclusive growth and cultural richness. Here’s how:

Promote Multilingualism in Governance and Media

Official documents, digital platforms, and public services should be accessible in multiple languages. Technology can play a key role in translation and voice interfaces to bridge the gap.

Support Endangered and indigenous Languages

Languages spoken by smaller communities must be preserved through documentation, education, and cultural promotion. NGOs, universities, and governments should collaborate to keep these languages alive.

Foster Cultural Exchange

Literature, cinema, and media in regional languages should be promoted across the country. Subtitled films, translated books, and language festivals can help Indians appreciate the beauty of each other’s languages.

Navigating this complex landscape requires a sensitive, pragmatic, and forward-looking approach. The solution lies not in choosing one language over another, but in fostering a robust multilingualism.

In a nutshell, addressing the challenges of language politics requires a nuanced understanding of linguistic diversity and a commitment to equitable policies that promote social justice and inclusivity. By promoting inclusivity, regional autonomy, and dialogue, India can navigate its linguistic challenges and enhance its democratic and social cohesion. To promote linguistic diversity and inclusion, it is essential to recognise the value of regional languages and dialects. This can be achieved through policies that support bilingual education and promote linguistic diversity in public spaces. Moreover, it is essential to challenge the dominance of English as a lingua franca and promote multilingualism as a means of promoting social cohesion and cultural diversity. And it should be remembered that India’s concept is pluralism means Unity in diversity. So, every Indian always need to unite with each other regardless of any religion, caste, community and language and give priority first Indianness.

Conclusion

The language debate in India is complex, emotional, and deeply political. Yet, India’s experience over the last 75 years shows that linguistic diversity, when respected and celebrated, can strengthen rather than weaken the nation. The idea of "unity in diversity" must guide our policies and practices—not just as a slogan, but as a lived reality. In a multilingual democracy like India, the path to unity lies not in uniformity, but in mutual respect and inclusive governance.

In short, India's linguistic diversity is its unique strength, not a problem to be solved. The political conflicts around language are, at their core, about equity, identity, and access to opportunity. The way forward is not through homogenization but through a layered identity where an Indian can be proudly Tamil, Kannadiga, or Bengali at the state level, functionally proficient in English for national and global spheres, and optionally familiar with Hindi as a language of wider connection. By embracing this "multilingual solution," India can ensure that its Tower of Babel does not collapse into confusion but stands tall as a magnificent monument to pluralism.

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