Stating that the initiative to impose Hindi as compulsory subject till Class X in north eastern states is one of the ploys of nation building, social commentator Dhanabir Laishram has called against agreeing to the step taken by parliamentary official language committee chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sharing his views during the one-day symposium on “Hindi Lolbu Class X gi Thak Phaoba Maheiroisingda Compulsory Subject ama Oina Tamhallakpa Matamda Maheiroising Amadi Tungi Mirolda Thengnahougadaba Phibam” at Manipur Press Club on Wednesday, Dhanabir said that India with its diverse culture, tradition, language, religion, etc., it cannot be termed as nation.
The actual meaning of nation is defined when there is one culture, one religion, one language, he said.
However, the Indian government is keen on nation building by imposing the concept of “Hindutva”.
Central government taking the step of making Hindi as compulsory subject till class X could be one of the strategies of making India as one nation, he stated.
He further said Manipuri language is very unique and fulfils all the requisite criteria to be recognised as a classical language of India. However, people of the state have neglected it by giving priority and interest in learning English.
There are around 1600 languages spoken in India and out of it, 47 languages belong to North Eastern states. Amongst various vulnerable languages enlisted by UNESCO, Manipuri language is one of them, he informed while stating that language is the identity of one’s community or state. People of the state should extend their effort in preservation and promotion of their respective language as their own asset, he said.
He also suggested to every subject expert to write at least one book on the subject or topic in which they are experts in their mother language. This would help tremendously in preservation of language. Leaders of the state should also take initiative to oppose the move of the central government informing people’s sentiment and impact to be given their decision of Hindi imposition in the state.
DESAM president Leishangthem Lamyanba Meitei said that the state is still implementing three language formulas by giving equal priority to Manipuri, Hindi and English. Central government trying to make Hindi a compulsory subject till class X even after effectively such a formula has led to demeaning democratic values, he said.
He further said that the decision of imposing Hindi as compulsory subject is more or less similar to not treating all 8th schedule languages as the same. This kind of initiative of the central government hurts the sentiment of people who have their regional language, the DESAM president said.
The Indian government’s vision to make Hindi as lingua franca when English has become a major language in the globe would really affect the knowledge world of the country, he added.
Addressing the function as chief guest, former secretary and chairman, Council of Higher Secondary Manipur, Hamon Nabachandra also expressed his views about preservation and promotion of Manipuri language.
President, PAWF, Naoroibam Khamba Luwang and patron member, PAWF, Manipur, Konjengbam Dilip attended as president and guest of honour respectively.
