The Constitution of India has
approved of 22 languages. The Constitution of India has designated the official
language of the Government of India as Hindi written in the Devanagari script,
as well as English. Hindi and English are used for official purposes such as parliamentary
proceedings, judiciary, communications between the Central Government and State
Government. States within India have the liberty to specify their own official
language through legislation.
CAUSES OF LINGUISM
Literature – love of literature creates and strengthens a
sense of loyalty to a particular language among groups.
Geographical conditions – people living in a particular
locality tend to speak the same language. This promotes local identity and distinctiveness
and reinforces love for ones own language
Historical causes – the freedom struggle has been related to
the language and thus the states were divided on linguistic grounds.
Political causes – narrow minded political parties create
linguistic feeling among the people of a locality and exploit their sentiments
during elections
Psychological causes – language raises emotional feelings for
a homogenous group.
Linguistic groups are tied together by a common interest and
it leads to a spirit of regionalism and a feeling or separatism in the minds of
the citizens.
CONSEQUENCES OF LINGUISM
Regionalism -
linguism ultimately leads to regionalism
Formation of regional political parties – linguism has led
to formation of regional political parties in some states. These political parties
often complicate Center – State relations.
Harassment of linguistic minorities – the state reorganization
commission had provided for safeguard of linguist minorities but in reality, this
is not so. As a result, complications develop which threaten national unity.
Demand for separate states – linguist conflicts because of
selfish politicians leads to partition of states.
Erosion of national feeling – linguistic and regional
loyalties take away from national loyalty.
Inter state border disputes – arise especially in border
areas. For e.g. goans are divided on the basis of Konkani and Marathi.
REMEDIAL MEASURES
Development of a common script for all languages – Currently
there are a number of scripts in India and a common script could break the barrier
that separates one language from another. M. N. Srinivas suggests the use of
the Roman script
Development of a common language – Hindi has been recognized
as the national language. However, over the years there have been problems with
regard to the same. Thus, this should be tackled with utmost care
Ban on regional political parties – that promote linguism
and divide the people for selfish gain.
The Sarkaria commission (appointed in 1983 to examine the
language problem in India) recommended that styles, forms and expression of English
along with other regional languages re to be retained in the process of
development of official language. The three languages formula such as regional
language, Hindi and English should properly be implemented.
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