Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the progress of Hindi has meaning only when it goes hand in hand with the dignity, promotion and protection of India’s other languages. His remarks came on the occasion of Hindi Diwas, observed every year on September 14.
Shah described India’s linguistic diversity as a strength rather than a weakness, saying the country’s many languages are closely connected with its cultural richness and identity.
In his message, Shah said every Indian language carries its own history, folk traditions and distinctive way of understanding life. According to him, these linguistic traditions also play an important role in shaping the values and outlook of younger generations.
The Home Minister emphasised that language is much more than a means of communication. He described it as a form of social memory and self-awareness that connects communities with their history, culture and roots.
Shah also highlighted the role Hindi has played in connecting people from different regions and communities. He said Hindi has functioned as a language of dialogue, coordination and interaction, helping people communicate across linguistic boundaries.
However, he stressed that the growth of Hindi should not come at the cost of other Indian languages. According to Shah, Hindi should be seen as an important link between the country's diverse linguistic communities rather than as a replacement for other languages.
Shah pointed out that Gujarati is his mother tongue, but Hindi allows him to communicate directly with people from different parts of India. He said this illustrates how languages can complement one another and strengthen communication across the country.
Hindi Diwas is observed on September 14 to commemorate the adoption of Hindi as an official language by the Constituent Assembly on September 14, 1949.
The Home Minister also used the occasion to make an appeal to young people and parents. He encouraged the youth to learn from the wider world while remaining connected to their own languages and cultural roots.
Shah urged parents to speak to their children in their mother tongue, underlining the importance of passing languages from one generation to another.
He said language connects individuals with their mothers, homeland, history and culture. His message therefore focused on maintaining India's multilingual character while recognising Hindi's role in facilitating communication and national unity.
The remarks come amid India's longstanding linguistic diversity, where multiple regional languages form an important part of social and cultural life. Shah's message sought to present Hindi and other Indian languages as complementary elements of the country's broader linguistic identity.
The Home Minister's comments on Hindi Diwas placed emphasis on both national communication and the preservation of India's diverse linguistic heritage, calling for the continued promotion of Hindi alongside respect for the country's other languages.
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