Challenges and Solutions for Hindi as Rajbhasha

Source: The post Challenges and Solutions for Hindi as Rajbhasha has been created, based on the article “Yogendra Yadav writes: We need Hindi as a lokbhasha, not a rajbhasha” published in “Indian Express” on 18th March 2025. Challenges and Solutions for Hindi as Rajbhasha.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2

Context: The debate on Hindi’s Rajbhasha role is back. It highlights its failure over 75 years to unite India’s diverse languages. Despite official status, Hindi hasn’t empowered itself or bridged linguistic divides. Meanwhile, English’s dominance continues, sidelining Hindi and other languages. This raises concerns about linguistic fairness.

For detailed information on Hindi as a Common Language read this article here

Challenges in Hindi’s Rajbhasha Role

1. Lack of Integration: Hindi is spoken by 42% of India’s population. Yet, its Rajbhasha status hasn’t united different linguistic groups. Instead, it has caused resentment among non-Hindi speakers due to perceived imposition.
2. Tokenism in Promotion: The use of Hindi on official signs and in government communications often feels superficial. It fails to integrate the language effectively into everyday life or governance.
3. Cultural Division: Hindi seems disconnected from other Indian languages. This weakens rather than strengthens national unity.
4. Educational Inefficacy: Surveys like ASER show that Hindi-speaking students in rural areas struggle with basic literacy in their own language. This indicates a failure in educational policy for Hindi.
5. Elite Disconnection: The Hindi-speaking elite prefer English for media and communication. This cultural shift away from Hindi undermines its status and influence.

Way Forward

1. Equal Status for All Scheduled Languages: Give all 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule equal official status. Remove special preference for Hindi.
2. From Hindi Diwas to Bhasha Diwas: Change September 14 from Hindi Diwas to Bhasha Diwas. This day should celebrate all Indian languages.
3. Ending Government Promotion of Hindi: Stop government efforts to impose Hindi. Let states and voluntary initiatives promote it. Cinema and sports have naturally expanded Hindi’s influence more than state efforts.
4. A National Language Mission: Focus this mission on all Indian languages. It should develop educational and literary resources in each language, including unscheduled ones.
5. Primary Education in Mother Tongue: Ensure primary education in a child’s mother tongue. This is vital for early linguistic and cultural development.
6. Building Linguistic Resources: Create and translate textbooks, children’s books, and scientific materials in all Indian languages. This supports academic growth and intellectual development across linguistic backgrounds.
7. Encouraging Linguistic Exchange: Let Hindi embrace influences from other Indian languages. This promotes a diverse linguistic culture rather than a purified, isolated version.

Conclusion

Hindi’s Rajbhasha status has mostly been symbolic. It has not countered English’s dominance or promoted true linguistic unity. A shift in policy is crucial to uplift all Indian languages and achieve real linguistic equity.

Question for practice:

Examine how the Rajbhasha status of Hindi has impacted linguistic unity and equity in India.