Vice President Dhankhar Calls for Linguistic Unity Amid Growing Political Rifts in India
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar warns against divisive politics amid India’s ongoing language debates, urging unity and constitutional respect. The statement comes at a time of heightened regional tensions.
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Introduction: A Statesman's Call for Calm in a Divided Language Landscape
As language politics take center stage across India, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar issued a strong appeal on Monday for national unity and constitutional balance in linguistic matters. Addressing a packed auditorium at a cultural event in Delhi, Dhankhar cautioned against the "weaponization of languages for political mileage", warning that such strategies pose a grave risk to the integrity and cohesion of the Indian Union.
His remarks come amid a series of confrontations between the central government and various state administrations, particularly in southern India, where leaders have vehemently opposed any attempt to impose Hindi or dilute the linguistic federal structure enshrined in the Constitution.
In this article, we examine the political, historical, and legal backdrop of India’s language debate, the significance of Dhankhar’s intervention, and what it means for the broader unity of the nation.
Backdrop: Tensions Rising Across States Over Language Policies
India is home to 22 scheduled languages and hundreds of dialects, with Hindi and English serving as the official languages at the Union level. However, in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and West Bengal, political parties have consistently resisted what they describe as “Hindi imposition,” arguing that it threatens regional identities and autonomy.
Recent developments have reignited the controversy:
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The new National Education Policy (NEP) advocates the promotion of Hindi in schools across non-Hindi speaking regions.
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Several government recruitment exams have tilted in favor of Hindi, prompting protests.
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The move to replace English with Hindi as the language of court judgments in some states has further fuelled discontent.
These policy shifts have been sharply criticized by regional parties, including the DMK, TMC, and CPI(M), who accuse the Centre of undermining India’s linguistic diversity.
Dhankhar's Statement: Emphasis on Constitutional Harmony
Speaking at the National Council of Language Harmony and Integration, Vice President Dhankhar urged all political actors to respect the spirit of cooperative federalism:
“India’s strength lies in its diversity. Language must be a tool for integration, not division. Any attempt to pit one language against another is deeply regressive and unconstitutional.”
He emphasized that Articles 343 to 351 of the Indian Constitution clearly delineate language provisions, recognizing linguistic plurality as a national asset rather than a hurdle. The Vice President also noted that while Hindi enjoys a wide speaker base, its promotion must not come at the cost of other regional languages.
This message was widely seen as a balancing act — affirming the importance of Hindi while acknowledging regional sensitivities.
Legal Framework: What the Constitution Says
The Indian Constitution outlines the legal structure for language governance under:
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Article 343: Declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.
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Article 344-351: Ensure promotion and protection of regional languages, with a strong focus on linguistic minorities.
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Eighth Schedule: Lists 22 scheduled languages, including Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, and others.
Importantly, states have the right to adopt their own official languages, and no language can be imposed through legislation without state consent. This framework forms the basis of federal linguistic coexistence.
For readers interested in the original constitutional provisions, the full text is available on the Ministry of Law and Justice portal.
Regional Responses: Southern States Stand Firm
Political reactions from southern leaders were swift, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin welcoming Dhankhar’s statement as a “constitutional reaffirmation.” He added:
“It is reassuring that the Vice President respects the diversity of India and warns against divisive tactics. Our stand on language rights remains non-negotiable.”
In Karnataka, opposition leader Siddaramaiah urged the Centre to withdraw any guidelines that favor Hindi in government recruitment and education policies. Meanwhile, Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty reiterated that the three-language formula should be flexible, not prescriptive.
Northern leaders, however, viewed the Vice President’s remarks differently. Some BJP members interpreted it as a call to encourage Hindi without coercion, while others said it reinforces the need for balanced bilingualism, particularly in national institutions.
The Role of Language in Politics: Symbolism and Strategy
Language is not merely a communication tool in India—it is a symbol of identity, autonomy, and political assertion. Political analysts believe that the language debate is increasingly used to:
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Consolidate regional vote banks
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Project cultural nationalism
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Counter centralization efforts
According to Dr. Ashutosh Kumar, a political science professor at Panjab University:
“Language politics often surfaces in the run-up to state elections, especially in the South. It becomes a rallying point for regional pride and a tool to criticize perceived North Indian dominance.”
Historical Context: The Anti-Hindi Agitations and Their Legacy
India’s history is replete with language-based movements, most notably the Anti-Hindi agitations of 1965 in Tamil Nadu, which led to the rise of Dravidian parties and a sharp rejection of Hindi-centric policies.
These protests forced the central government to clarify that English would continue as an associate official language indefinitely, thus protecting non-Hindi speakers in administration and education.
Over the years, language-based demands have led to the creation of new states (e.g., Andhra Pradesh in 1953) and played a key role in political realignments. The legacy of these struggles continues to shape today’s discourse.
A Way Forward: Unity in Diversity, Not Uniformity
Vice President Dhankhar’s appeal is significant in its timing and tone. In an era where identity politics often dominates headlines, his message offers a more constructive path forward:
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Respect for regional autonomy
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Promotion of multilingual education without compulsion
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Equal funding and policy attention for all Indian languages
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Civic dialogue, rather than coercive legislation
Experts believe that the Centre must engage in consultative policymaking on language issues, involving state governments, linguists, and civil society.
Additionally, public campaigns should encourage learning multiple languages rather than creating hierarchies. India’s linguistic wealth, if nurtured with respect, can become a strategic soft power asset globally.
Conclusion: A Call for Maturity in a Time of Division
Vice President Dhankhar’s intervention in India’s language debate brings a much-needed statesmanlike voice to a sensitive and polarizing issue. By reinforcing constitutional principles and discouraging political exploitation of linguistic differences, his message resonates with the foundational ethos of India: Unity in Diversity.
As elections loom and cultural fault lines deepen, it is imperative for political leaders, institutions, and citizens to treat language not as a battlefield but as a bridge—connecting communities, enriching culture, and strengthening democracy.
How India navigates this complex landscape in the coming years will define not just the character of its politics, but also the soul of its republic.
