Hindi Can't Be Enemy Of Indian Languages: Amit Shah

Amid coming under criticism over his remarks on English, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that Hindi cannot be an enemy to any Indian language and the BJP government will try to unite India through the languages.

What Amit Shah Said?

Speaking at an event, he said, "I believe from my heart that Hindi cannot be the enemy of any Indian language. Hindi is a friend of all Indian languages​​, and Hindi and Indian languages ​​together can take our self-esteem program to its ultimate goal..."

Shah stated that the competitive exams are now being conducted in 13 languages, moving away from the two language format. "JEE, NEET, CUET, are now being taken in 13 languages. Earlier, you could only apply for the constable recruitment of CAPF in English or Hindi. We made it flexible and allowed the ​​exam in 13 languages and today I am happy to say that 95% of the candidates are giving the constable exam in their mother tongue. This tells how bright the future of Indian languages ​​is in the coming days..." ANI quoted the Union Home Minister as saying.

The top BJP strategist said that language was used as a means to divide India in the last few decades the attempts were unsuccessful. "We will ensure that our languages ​​become a powerful medium to unite India. For this, the Official Language Department will work. I believe that the foundation that is being laid under the leadership of Modi ji will create a great India in 2047 and on the way to creating a great India, we will develop our Indian languages, make them rich, increase their utility..." Shah added.

He added, "Indian languages ​​should be used as much as possible in government work, not only in the central government but also in the state government. For this, we will also contact the states, try to convince and persuade them."

It comes at a time when there has been a lot of Opposition from the DMK and South Indian political leaders to what they call as "Hindi imposition".

Amit Shah On English

Last week, Amit Shah's remarks on English had faced severe backlash from the Opposition leaders. "...In our lifetime, we will see a society in which those speaking English will feel ashamed, that day is not far ... I believe that the languages of our country are the ornament of our culture. Without them, we would not have been Bharatiya. Our country, its history, its culture, our Dharma, if these have to be understood, it cannot be done in foreign languages)," Indian Express quoted Amit Shah as saying at the launch of Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon.