As a debate over language policies heats up, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stirred more controversy by saying that people who speak English in India might soon start feeling embarrassed. Speaking at a book launch, he emphasized that India’s native languages are at the heart of its identity and should take priority over foreign ones.
“In this country, a time will come when speaking English will be seen as something to be ashamed of,” Shah said. “Our languages are the true gems of our culture. Without them, we lose what makes us Indian.” He urged people across the nation to reconnect with and promote India’s linguistic roots.
He went on to say that English is a leftover from colonial times and predicted that, globally, people would begin to see it as a symbol of that era. “To truly understand our history, culture, and religion, a foreign language won’t do. We can’t build a complete vision of India with half-understood foreign words,” Shah added. Despite acknowledging that the road ahead is tough, he said he was confident Indian society would reclaim its voice and identity through its own languages.
His comments come while several opposition-led states, especially in the south, are criticizing the central government over the push for Hindi through the New Education Policy (NEP). Tamil Nadu, in particular, has accused the BJP of using the policy to impose Hindi rather than improve education. West Bengal and other states have echoed similar concerns.
In response to the ongoing tension, Shah had earlier announced that starting December, the Home Ministry would begin communicating with states in their regional languages. He stressed that India has already seen enough conflict over language and it’s time to move past those divisions.
