Question

Describe the views of Gandhiji on the national language of India.

Hint:

Remember: Gandhiji favored Hindustani over Hindi or English because it was inclusive, familiar to many, and bridged religious and cultural communities.

Answer 1

Mahatma Gandhi's Perspective on India's National Language

Mahatma Gandhi strongly advocated for a common national language to unify India's diverse population. His stance prioritized practicality, inclusivity, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

• Advocacy for Hindustani: Gandhi proposed Hindustani, a fusion of Hindi and Urdu, as the national language. He believed its widespread understanding among Hindus and Muslims, particularly in northern India, would foster national unity.
• Opposition to Imposed Languages: While promoting Hindi, Gandhi rejected the imposition of overly Sanskritized Hindi or exclusive Hindi over regional languages. He also criticized English as a national language due to its inaccessibility to the masses and its colonial associations.
• Encouragement of Multilingualism: Gandhi encouraged the learning of multiple languages. He envisioned every Indian mastering their mother tongue, adopting Hindi or Hindustani as a linking language, and learning an international language like English for global interaction.
• Mother Tongue in Education: He supported education being delivered in the mother tongue or regional languages, with Hindustani also serving as a national language, to enhance comprehension and cultural connection.
• Role in National Integration: Gandhi viewed language as a key instrument for national integration, and Hindustani was deemed suitable for this purpose due to its simplicity, inclusivity, and broad acceptance across religious and regional divides.

Consequently, Gandhi's vision was not one of linguistic homogenization, but of unity achieved through a language that was indigenous, user-friendly, and conducive to communal harmony.