Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu today struck a conciliatory note amid the raging language row, saying Hindi and English both have their uses and should be learnt. “Hindi is the national language. English is international language,” he said, pointing out that Indians are now travelling abroad extensively for work.
“For livelihood, we will learn any number of languages. We won’t forget mother tongue. Language is only for communication. It is best to learn maximum languages, let us remember,” he added.
“Some people seem to think English is equivalent to knowledge. Language is only for communication. It does not bring knowledge. Knowledge is learnt best when studied in mother tongue… mother tongue is easiest to learn/ That is the experience anywhere in the world,” he added.
The DMK government’s opposition to the introduction of the Centre’s three-language policy has been having ripple effect in the southern states.
In an election year, the DMK has opened two fronts against the BJP-led Centre – the three-language policy which the Centre wants Tamil Nadu to implement, and delimitation. Both, the DMK has argued, are ruses to establish the domination of the north – through language and culture and politics.
The Centre has doubled down, insisting that Opposition-ruled Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Bengal switch to the three-language policy immediately.
The Centre has also pointed out that Hindi is just one in the 22-language bouquet of the Education Policy.
