In a release, NEGIS stated that the demonstration, which was organised along with other progressive organisations, was taken part by students from different communities and regions of Northeast India as well as other parts of India.

It added that NEFIS condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in the 37th meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee regarding the imposition of Hindi compulsory till class 10 in the states of Northeast India.

Stating that the step gives undue importance to Hindi vis-à-vis other languages recognised by the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India and other languages of non-Hindi speaking regions, it alleged that the proposal seeks to impose Hindi as a national language, thereby exerting Hindi chauvinism over other communities especially marginalised communities.

“Instead of creating more infrastructures to promote languages of non-Hindi speaking regions, especially of linguistically marginal and minority communities, the ministry seeks to impose its diktat on people from non-Hindi speaking backgrounds especially marginal and minority groups,” it read.

It recalled that there was an attempt by Delhi University in 2013 to make Hindi/Modern Indian languages compulsory without “bothering the least” about how it would affect the students from the Northeast and other parts of India. Only after NEFIS’ concerted struggle did the University withdraw its “draconic” order, it added.

Denouncing the union home minister’s statement, NEFIS demanded the statement as well as the steps to impose Hindi on the non-Hindi speaking people be taken back immediately.

NEFIS stated that the minister must render an apology to the country for the statement, and mentioned that NEFIS would further intensify its movement in the coming days if the decision to impose Hindi is not taken back.