Amit Shah Sparks Debate: “English Speakers Will Soon Feel Ashamed”

In a bold statement that has reignited the national conversation around language, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that a time is approaching when speaking in English will be seen as a matter of embarrassment rather than pride. His comments, made at a book launch event in the capital, are part of a broader ideological movement aimed at reviving India's native languages and reshaping the nation’s linguistic identity.

Amit Shah stated during a book launch event that India would soon become a place where native languages flourished (Rahul Singh) | Hindustan Times

A Cultural Awakening Through Language

Speaking at the launch of Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon, a memoir by former IAS officer Ashutosh Agnihotri, Shah emphasized the importance of Indian languages in understanding the soul of the country. He stated that no foreign language—especially not English—can capture the essence of Indian culture, religion, or history. “Our languages are the jewels of our culture,” he said, arguing that a true Indian identity cannot flourish while relying on what he called “half-baked foreign languages.”

Linking Language to Nation-Building

Amit Shah tied his remarks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Panch Pran” or Five Pledges initiative, which includes liberating India from the colonial mindset. According to Shah, linguistic decolonization is central to this vision. He claimed that continuing to uphold English as a status symbol prevents India from achieving genuine cultural independence. Instead, he projected a future where Indians would proudly conduct research, write literature, and govern in their own native languages.

Administrative Steps Toward Linguistic Reform

The Union Home Minister's comments are not merely rhetorical—they are part of an ongoing policy push. Earlier this month, Shah inaugurated the Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag (Indian Languages Section) under the Department of Official Language. This new division will promote translations across various Indian languages and integrate regional tongues into administrative and governmental processes.

The Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag aims to empower linguistic diversity and reduce the dominance of English in official correspondence. By incorporating cutting-edge technology for translation and communication, the initiative seeks to make India’s administrative machinery more accessible and rooted in its cultural ethos.

Pushback and the Politics of Language

While the government promotes this vision as a return to India's roots, critics have raised concerns, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Many regional leaders view the central push for Hindi and other Indian languages with suspicion, fearing a gradual imposition of Hindi at the cost of linguistic pluralism. Shah has responded to these concerns by reiterating that the intention is not to replace regional languages with Hindi, but to elevate all Indian languages to their deserved stature.

The tension reflects India’s complex linguistic landscape, where over 22 officially recognized languages and hundreds of dialects coexist. Although Hindi and English are both official languages at the Union level, many non-Hindi states have historically resisted attempts to prioritize Hindi over their native tongues.

A Vision for 2047: Linguistic Self-Reliance

Amit Shah chairs the Parliamentary Committee on Official Languages, which envisions making Hindi the primary working language of the Indian government by 2047—India’s centenary of independence. This goal is closely aligned with the broader aim of reducing India's reliance on English. However, Shah clarified that the objective is not to demonize English but to ensure that it no longer holds a disproportionate position of prestige in Indian society.

This vision extends beyond governance. It includes reshaping education, scientific discourse, legal proceedings, and public communication. The hope, according to Shah, is that one day Indians will speak and write in their mother tongues not out of compulsion, but out of pride and cultural confidence.

Conclusion: A Vision Rooted in Cultural Pride

Amit Shah’s statements reflect a broader ideological commitment to reviving India’s civilizational self-confidence through language. Rather than rejecting English, his vision aims to elevate Indian languages to their rightful place in education, administration, and cultural expression. He believes that language is not just a tool for communication, but a vessel of identity, history, and pride.

By encouraging a shift away from colonial linguistic legacies, Shah envisions a future where Indians, regardless of their background, can express their intellect and aspirations in their own tongues. His push is not about exclusion, but about restoration—restoring dignity to India's rich tapestry of languages and enabling future generations to walk forward with pride in their cultural heritage. As India moves toward its centenary of independence in 2047, this linguistic renaissance is poised to become a defining chapter in the country's national journey.

(Sources: India Today, Hindustan Times)