Won't impose Hindi on those who do not speak it: Centre

Elaborating on the government’s three-language formula, Rijiju said it is already in existence and there is no bar on any state to conduct its business in regional languages.

The government has assured that it will not impose Hindi on those who do not speak the language. The assurance was given to the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju.

"Hindi is the official language and all other Indian languages are national languages. There is no question of imposing one language over other languages," said Rijiju, who is in charge of the Department of Official Languages in the Central government.

He was responding to a private member's bill moved by B K Hariprasad (Congress), seeking inclusion of Tulu and Kodava languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

"It is not a question of trying to impose Hindi. Let us be very clear. There is no question of discrimination. There is no special effort or attempt to promote Hindi," the minister said.

Elaborating on the government's three-language formula, Rijiju said it is already in existence and there is no bar on any state to conduct its business in regional languages.

The minister observed that the issue of language is very sensitive, and a slight mistake or misrepresentation can lead to many differences within the country.

"We have not given any preference to one language over another. While justice is being done, we must ensure that no complications arise in the future because it is a very sensitive subject," Rijiju said.

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