Amit Shah calls for unity in promoting India's linguistic heritage

Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a compelling case for India's linguistic diversity on Hindi Diwas, framing language promotion as an act of cultural nationalism that transcends political divides. Speaking at the 6th All India Rajbhasha Sammelan in Mumbai on September 14, 2026, Shah argued that while India's languages may speak in different voices, they must share one national sentiment.

Cultural nationalism through language

Shah connected language promotion directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of freeing India from what he called a "mindset of slavery." He pointed to historical examples, noting how Bal Gangadhar Tilak used cultural celebrations like Ganesh festivities and Shivaji Maharaj's birth anniversary to foster patriotism during the freedom struggle. These events, he noted, eventually spread beyond Maharashtra, creating waves of national consciousness.

Hindi as connector, not competitor

The Home Minister presented Hindi not as a replacement for regional languages but as a bridge between them. He revealed that the Hindi Shabd Sindhu dictionary has incorporated over 50,000 words from Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Odia and other languages to fill gaps where Hindi lacked vocabulary. "Hindi should act as a means of communication and connection among India's languages rather than competition," Shah stated, expressing confidence that the dictionary would become the world's largest by 2029.

"All political differences must be set aside to promote Indian languages. A child can understand India only through the mother tongue."

Policy and practical steps

Shah detailed concrete government efforts to make Indian languages the medium of governance and science. He highlighted that candidates can now appear for IAS and IPS examinations in their mother tongue, while JEE, NEET and undergraduate exams are conducted in 13 languages. More than 500,000 central government employees have undergone language training, and AI-based tools like 'Kanthasth 2.0' have been made available to foreigners with over 50 million sentences.

The Minister also announced new translation arrangements, inviting elected representatives to communicate with the Centre in Marathi with assured translation services. He emphasized that PM Modi made primary education in mother tongue mandatory under the National Education Policy, calling opposition to learning additional Indian languages "a sin against our cultural heritage."

Restoring cultural symbols

Shah spent significant time discussing the national song Vande Mataram, noting it took 80 years to restore its full glory after being limited to just two stanzas at official events. "Vande Mataram is not merely a song but an effort to awaken Indian consciousness to get freedom," he said. "It laid the foundation of India's cultural nationalism." He credited PM Modi with ensuring the song is now sung in full at all government functions.

Comparing Indian culture to a many-petalled lotus with each regional language forming a petal, Shah concluded: "Languages could remain many, but the sentiment should remain Indian and India's voice should remain one."