"All Indian languages are national languages": RSS amidst Hindi imposition debate

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has asserted that it does not support the imposition of any single language and considers all Indian languages to be national languages. This significant statement, made at a recent meeting of the Hindu nationalist organization, comes amidst an ongoing language controversy in states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, primarily stemming from the 'three-language formula' embedded in the New Education Policy (NEP). Opposition parties have frequently accused the central government of attempting to impose Hindi through this policy.

The language debate intensified recently in Maharashtra, where the state government was compelled to revoke two resolutions concerning the three-language policy's implementation. This rollback followed a massive backlash from the opposition, which viewed the move as an attempt to undermine Marathi. While Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that his government was not against Hindi, he accused former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray of backtracking on the policy, alleging that a committee during Thackeray's tenure had recommended making Hindi mandatory in schools. Following the policy's cancellation, Maharashtra also declared October 3 as 'Abhijat Marathi Bhasha Diwas' (Classical Marathi Language Day), reinforcing Marathi's classical legacy.

Similarly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been a vocal critic of what he perceives as "Hindi imposition." He congratulated Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on their "victory rally" concerning Maharashtra's policy rollback, calling the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (DMK) "war" against Hindi imposition a movement that has transcended state boundaries. Meanwhile, the RSS meeting also focused on its future direction, societal outreach, expansion across the country, and preparations for its centenary celebrations.