- Every Indian would vouch unequivocally that the country is blessed with such rich diversity, endearing heritage, unparalleled legacy, mesmerizing vibrancy, unique but welcoming tradition, pleasant culture, beautifully dynamic languages, renowned philosophies/ideologies interspersed with a spiritual bent of mind, and interesting ethnicity spread across the landscape. One of the most common but a definite binding factor in the Indian psyche is the pride associated with the unity exhibited despite varied diversity at play. Every region of the country is unique since the language plays an extremely crucial part in helping to distinctly establish identity. The modernity-defined developments are occurring at a breathtaking speed. Have things changed on the ground?
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- Let’s dwelve to comprehend how the dynamics on the ground are metamorphosing vis-à-vis socio-cultural milieu even as society witnesses increasing polarization courtesy of the political class’s predisposition towards parochial considerations. The caste conundrum in the country needs no further emphasis. The clamour for reservations and quotas in government jobs and educational institutions hasn’t come down, but has seen more demand from various castes seeking further attention. The secular versus communal, the minority versus majority debates have become deep-rooted, dividing society rather than helping bind it as one. The efforts undertaken by all stakeholders to ensure we Indians stay together despite diversity in everything deserve accolades.
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- One such endeavour was on display when the Supreme Court gave an important cultural lesson, that language is not a religion, and all languages should be celebrated. Very apt, one must say. How a dry legal case can be recast as a rich cultural tutorial – the SC showed that in style last week. The question before it was, did a municipal building signboard flout the Rajbasha status of Marathi in Maharashtra, by offering an Urdu translation below the Marathi? No. Like Bombay HC before it, SC found no prohibition on the use of an additional language. It went further, emphasizing that Marathi and Urdu share the same status under Schedule VIII of the Constitution. It reminded Urdu is also one of the official languages across UP, AP, J&K, Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, and Delhi.
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Of course, this must be understood against the vilification of Urdu as the enemy’s language, a factless campaign underway, finding many takers sadly. This prejudice, like many prejudices, dwells in high ignorance. Urdu is as Indian as Sanskrit. The first Urdu translation of the Quran took place at 18th century’s end but there are Urdu words in Tulsidas as well. It’s truly a composite language. But as gloriously rich as India’s cultural inheritance is, appreciating this is no longer the default mindset. So, SC labouring the obvious is a critical intervention in public discourse. SC said language is not religion. Language is culture. We must respect and rejoice in our diversity, including our many languages. Let’s celebrate every language with gay abandon without prejudice.
