Cultural Conflicts are often a result of the imposition of dominant narratives that seek to erase indigenous identities- Edward Said
Tamil Nadu’s recent opposition to Hindi’s enactment has sparked debates on linguistic autonomy, federalism, and cultural identity in India.
Historical Context, Tamil Nadu’s linguistic policy is shaped by its historical resistance to Hindi imposition. The anti-Hindi agitations of 1937 and 1965 were defining moments when Tamil speakers opposed attempts to mandate Hindi as a compulsory subject in schools. As a result, the state adopted a Two-Language Policy (Tamil and English) and has consistently rejected any moves to introduce a third language, particularly Hindi, in educational curricula.
The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, recommends the adoption of the Three-Language Formula, where students learn their regional language, Hindi, and English. While proponents argue that this approach enhances national integration and opens more career opportunities, Tamil Nadu sees it as a step toward linguistic imposition. The government and various political parties in the state have opposed the move, stating that ‘Tamil should remain the primary language of education and administration’. English is already a global language, fulfilling the need for communication beyond regional boundaries. Imposing Hindi undermines the cultural and linguistic identity of non-Hindi-speaking states.
Cultural Federalism recognizes that India’s strength lies in its linguistic and cultural diversity. Tamil Nadu’s resistance to Hindi imposition is a testament to the need for decentralized decision-making in cultural matters. The Indian Constitution, through Articles 29 and 30, guarantees minorities and linguistic communities the right to preserve their languages and traditions. Additionally, Article 345 empowers states to determine their own official languages, reinforcing the federal nature of language policies.
What Stats says? In Tamil Nadu over 85% of students for Tamil as their first language, with English being the second. In Higher education it has one of the highest enrolments in regional language-based, with over 70% of college students preferring Tamil as the medium of instruction. Also, other studies indicate that less than 10% of Tamil Nadu’s workforce requires Hindi for professional interactions, compared to states in northern and central India.
Implications on National Unity, Tamil Nadu’s defiance should not be seen as a challenge to national integration but as an affirmation of India’s federal ethos. Cultural federalism allows diverse communities to coexist while maintaining their unique identities. A one-size-fits-all approach to language risks alienating non-Hindi-speaking regions, potentially leading to cultural and political tensions.
Need Balanced Approach, to maintain cultural federalism and linguistic harmony, the centre should respect state autonomy, encourage voluntary multilingualism, strengthen digital and educational infrastructure for regional languages, and promote cultural exchange without imposition. This includes enhancing e-learning, digital governance, and competitive exams in Tamil and other regional languages, and promoting language learning as a choice rather than a compulsion.
Sum-up, Tamil Nadu’s language debate is not just about Hindi versus Tamil, but also about cultural federalism, safeguarding India’s diversity. India must embrace cultural federalism to ensure every linguistic and cultural group’s rightful place in the democratic framework.
Author Brief Bio
Dr. Md Afroz, Researcher/Author/faculty @ Dept of Political Science, MANUU, Hyderabad. He has published numerous articles and research papers, regularly writes on socio-political subjects on various print/online domain. His upcoming books in 2025, 1st– “Bridging Divides: Federalism in Theory and Practice” 2nd– “Comparative Government and Politics in the Digital Age” and 3rd- Eds. “Politics in 21st Century: Challenges and Prospects” capture the new age politics.
Contact,
Email: afrozjamia@gmail.com.
Twitter: @khwajaafrozsidd