Amit Shah Urges Use Of Indian Languages To Break Free From Colonial Mindset

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said India must think, analyse, and make decisions in Indian languages to fully shed its Colonial mindset. He spoke at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Official Language Department.

Shah emphasised that Indian languages, especially official ones, are the soul of the nation. “Unless people take pride in their own language and develop the ability to express and think in it, we cannot be truly free from the Colonial mindset,” he said.

He clarified that this approach does not oppose any language, including foreign ones. “But we must take pride in our own languages. We must speak, think, and honour our languages,” Shah added.

Languages should unite, not divide

Shah criticised past efforts to divide the country on linguistic grounds. He said the government would ensure that languages become a unifying force. The Language Department will play a key role in this effort, he added.

The Home Minister also noted that national-level entrance exams like NEET, JEE, and CUET are now conducted in 13 Indian languages. These are also being used in recruitment for Central Armed Police Forces, he said.

Hindi and regional languages can coexist

Highlighting Hindi’s role, Shah said, “Hindi is a friend of all other languages and not an adversary. Hindi and regional languages together promote self-esteem and national pride.”

He said the Centre would support states to ensure communication from the Union government is carried out only in Indian languages.

Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and said the foundation for ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 will rest on Indian languages. “PM Modi has stressed removing Colonial mentality. Indian languages will help revive and celebrate our heritage while building a developed India,” he said.

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