Latest news with #Non-Hindi
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Posters at Ooty railway station stoke allegations of Hindi imposition
Two posters that had been put up in the Udhagamandalam Railway Station stoked allegations of Hindi imposition and appropriation following which they were removed. In one poster, a quote by national poet Subramania Bharathi, transliterated into English as: 'Let us bring various literary forms and noble thoughts from all over the world,' was falsely attributed to Indian National Congress former president, Madan Mohan Malaviya. Meanwhile, another poster had a quote by Madabhushi Ananthasayanam Ayyangar, which read: 'Non-Hindi speaking too realise their dreams with simple spoken Hindi.' A section of visitors to the station objected to these posters with some voicing their opposition on social media. 'While the quote by Ananthasayanam Ayyangar can be seen as a subtle means of promoting Hindi, the other poster, of the quote by Bharathiar being falsely attributed to Malviya entirely is condemnable. As the posters have been sanctioned by the Union government, to be put up in a public space, the accuracy of such posters, and their potential to be interpreted as a means of imposing Hindi, should have been checked and vetted before being allowed to be put up,' said an activist from the Nilgiris, who had drawn the attention of the Southern Railways to the issue. Tweeting about the issue, Nilgiris MP A. Raja of the DMK said 'Hindi imposition is unacceptable! The use of Hindi in Indian railway stations in increasing every day. Especially in my constituency in the Nilgiris, the banners installed in Hindi at the 100-year-old Udhagamandalam railway station are hurting the sentiments of the Tamil people. I request the relevant authorities to immediately remove them. Tamil Nadu will never accept the imposition of Hindi.' He has also written to the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw urging him 'to respect the linguistic sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and avoid compulsory inclusion of Hindi where it is not contextually necessary.' When contacted, M. Vasudevan, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Salem Division of Southern Railways said the posters have been removed. 'There is no ulterior motive for the posters being put up, and they have been there for more that four or five years. We are checking how they were put up at the railway station,' said Mr. Vasudevan, who added there were other posters too, including those of quotes by poet Rabindranath Tagore. 'There are two posters which were brought to our notice, and as we do not want to court any controversies, they were removed immediately,' said Mr. Vasudevan.
Hans India
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Shah's take on English has serious repercussions
This is with reference to the news items "Those who speak English in India will soon feel ashamed: Shah'. India's strength lies in its linguistic diversity. By framing English as a foreign language and linking it to shame, Shah's statement fuels the flames of linguistic chauvinism. This spells danger, especially in a country like India where language has been the flashpoint that triggered regional and communal violence in almost every nook and corner. One must forget that English serves as a bridge language in India, including in higher education, business and inter-state communication. Non-Hindi speaking states are likely to see Shah's statement as one more attempt to establish a Hindi-centric identity in the entire country. Shah's controversial statement carries deep political and global implications. P Victor Selvaraj, Tirunelveli- 627002 Unbecoming of Shah A new controversy is likely to start following the statement of Union Hoe Minister Amit Shah on languages, which is a sensitive issue in India where states have come into existence based on language. This is evident from Maharashtra, where a controversy is underway over adoption of Hindi. Shah warned of a day when speakers of English in India would feel ashamed, but the question is why make such a damaging statement, in the firstplace. By all accounts, it is a shameful remark from a leader of Shah's stature. It reeks of prejudice and myopia, elements that knowledgeable politicians ought to shun. English's centrality to the Indian context is undeniable. To make matters worse, he said 'our culture, our history, and our religion cannot be understood in foreign languages. We will run our country in our own languages and lead the world too.' Earlier this month, Shah launched the Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag (BBA), or Indian Languages Section, to provide an organised platform for all Indian languages to move towards 'freeing the administration from the influence of foreign languages'. States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have witnessed protests on the imposition of Hindi. The Tamil Nadu government has opposed the three-language formula in the National Educational Policy (NEP) tooth and nail, claiming it was an attempt to bring Hindi to the State 'through the backdoor'. In a country that speaks in many tongues and where linguistic tensions are quite common, English has served as the veritable lingua franca, bridging segments of the population. In this globalised world, English is the bridge that connects India to the world and its economy. Shah's demonisation of English needs to be located within a broader ideological and epistemic thrust. But the spirit of the idea of India - linguistically or otherwise - is a celebration of pluralism and accommodation: English, with its many virtues and uses, has a firm place in the Indian ethos. It is expected that the government will see the pros and cons before implementing ill-conceived initiatives. Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar-144003 Shah's shameful statement It was a shameful statement that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah made during a book launch event in Delhi where he spoke of a time "when those speaking English in the country would feel ashamed". English is one of the global languages and helps to understand our living world, especially in the AI era. When we study in our mother tongue, we understand well. But when we need to exchange what we learned, English is the tool. It may help unite the world but not to lead. Unnikrishnan Mangalasseri, Manjeri PO, Kerala-676121 Union Minister should eat his words Ourministers and senior politicians should always talk using measured words and not in an irresponsible manner (Those who speak English will soon feel ashamed: Shah). English (the lingua franca) is an international language. Undermining its importance in our country is like cutting one's nose to spite one's face. It is widely used in businesses, education and judiciary and provides ample opportunities for global communication as well as career advancements. A good command over English boosts our students' prospects not only in India but also abroad. Amit Shah should eat his own words. Dr Sunil Chopra,Ludhiana Shah's gaffe is regrettable AmitShah's statement that "those who speak English in this country would soon feel ashamed" deserves to be taken with a fistful of salt. English, as we all know, is the aspirational language of India's rising middle class. On that count, regional languages, even Hindi, serve a limited purpose. English is the sine qua non of today's India that has set out to claim its place on the global high table. Even the Prime Minister with his RSS/Hindi background, thought it fit to give English a brief hug while driving home a point about terrorism, and that too in Bihar. Mignon McLaughlin, American journalist and author, had said, "Every American child should grow up knowing a second language, preferably English." And that perhaps holds water for every Indian child living in these times. Amitji, are you listening? Avinash Godboley, Dewas (MP)
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Business Standard
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Lights, camera, crisis? Hindi films struggle despite 27% box office jump
Film producers and distributors say the 27 per cent jump in all-India box-office earnings during the first five months of 2025 hides a much grimmer reality. Despite total receipts climbing to ₹4,812 crore from ₹3,791 crore a year earlier, industry insiders describe an 'existential' crisis and an atmosphere of 'nervousness' across the sector, The Economic Times reported. 'Are we looking at numbers or real growth? Last year was an election year. So, it seems there is growth in collection. There is a huge difference between film business in multiplexes and the B-class and C-class centres,' said Yusuf Shaikh, CEO and founder of Janta Cinema, quoted by The Economic Times. Lack of mass entertainers Shaikh mentions the theatres' core audience — the masses — now struggle to find 'credible mass entertainers' on screen. A veteran distributor said that the ritual of weekly movie-going has faded. He said that the audience, for whom watching films in theatres was a ritual, is missing. This has impacted the average opening and collection of Hindi films. Data from Ormax Media underscore the shift. Non-Hindi titles — ranging from English to various regional languages — accounted for 63 per cent of nationwide box-office takings between January and May, only slightly lower than the 67 per cent share logged a year earlier. Hindi films improved their share to 37 per cent, buoyed by hits such as Chhaava and Raid 2, The Economic Times report mentioned. Dependence on big-budget releases Yet a handful of successes cannot reverse broader structural issues, warns media-ech consultant Prashen Kayla. 'One or two hits do not promise change in the business situation. The Hindi film industry is disproportionately dependent on big-budget films. Today, the industry needs more successful mid-budget films,' he said, as quoted by the report. Aamir Khan calls OTT a threat to Hindi cinema Bollywood actor Aamir Khan expressed concern over the growing trend of releasing Hindi films on OTT platforms shortly after their theatrical debut. According to him, this practice undermines the theatrical business model, especially when going to the cinema is increasingly viewed as a premium experience rather than a regular habit. In a conversation with screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, the issue of Hindi cinema's disconnect with audiences was brought up. Akhtar pointed out, 'The [Hindi] films have lost all connectivity with the audience. Dubbed South Indian films, featuring stars who are unknown to audiences here in North India, are releasing and doing ₹600–700 crore business. Even the few of our films that end up working are also directed by people from the South. What happened to our people?' Khan responded that the challenge is not about regional differences. 'The problem we are facing is something different,' he explained. He criticised the current model of content distribution in the industry: 'Please come and consume our product. If you don't, we'll come and drop it off at your doorstep in eight weeks (through OTT platforms). This is our business model.' OTT platforms reshape viewing habits The rise of OTT platforms has fundamentally altered how audiences consume films. Viewers now prefer the flexibility and affordability of streaming content from the comfort of their homes. Unlike cinemas, OTT allows for on-demand access with features such as pause, rewind, and fast-forward. Subscription costs are also considerably lower than the expenses associated with a theatrical outing. Younger viewers, in particular, have embraced this shift, leading to a decline in habitual theatre-going. While theatres still offer a unique and immersive viewing experience, they have responded by enhancing their offerings — introducing high-end formats like IMAX, luxury recliners, and gourmet concessions — to attract audiences seeking something beyond the standard home setup.
The Wire
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Five Reasons Why Amit Shah's Threat of English Speakers Being 'Ashamed' is Dangerous
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement that 'time is not far away for a society where people speaking in English in this country feel ashamed' has sparked a major controversy, after Asian News International and other media houses deleted their media reports and social media updates about the speech. While such statements have appeared before in Indian politics, Shah's position as the de facto 'number two' leader in the ruling BJP and as the union home minister lends extra weight to his words. With the dark shadow of Hindutva's longstanding ideological 'Hindi-Hindu-Hindusthan' slogan, Shah's comment is not just a cultural observation. It carries deep political and global implications, touching on issues of national identity, social mobility, intellectualism and India's international image. Here are five reasons why Shah's statement is significant. Fuels linguistic chauvinism and division India's strength lies in its linguistic diversity. There is no one national language, but 22 of them. By framing English as a foreign imposition and linking it to shame, Shah's statement fans the flames of linguistic chauvinism. This is especially dangerous in a country where language has often been a flashpoint for regional and communal tensions. English often serves as a neutral bridge language in India, especially in higher education, business, and inter-state communication. Non-Hindi speaking states, especially those in the South, East and the Northeast, are likely to see Shah's statement as yet another attempt by the Hindutva regime to impose a narrow, Hindi-centric identity on the entire country, further deepening regional divides and resentment. Colonial legacy as an excuse for furthering Hindutva Shah's statement aligns with the BJP's long-standing agenda of promoting Hindi as being central to the Indian identity. By framing English as a symbol of colonial legacy and 'shame,' he appeals to nationalist sentiments and consolidates the party's core base. His rhetoric helps create the narrative that true patriotism is tied to embracing Indian languages, a euphemism for Hindi in the BJP's view. While there is merit in shedding colonial hangovers, English has evolved into a global lingua franca and a practical tool for international engagement. Shah's framing of English as a source of 'shame' risks using a sensitive issue for ideological and political gains. It can polarise public opinion and distract from the much-needed debate about the quality of public education, as exemplified by the rewriting of textbooks in the BJP ruled states. Threatens India's global competitiveness India's rise as an Information Technology and services powerhouse is built on its large pool of English-speaking talent. This linguistic advantage has been an envy of a country like China. Casting English in a negative light sends a regressive message to the world and risks undermining India's attractiveness to global investors, multinational companies and academic collaborators. It will discourage young Indians from acquiring the very skills that make them globally competitive, damaging the country's future economic prospects. Shah's statement, if seen as official policy of the Hindutva regime, will create concerns about India's openness and modernity, and affect India's image as a cosmopolitan, globally connected nation. Impact on social mobility and education English in India is often seen as a gateway to better education, jobs, and upward mobility. By stigmatising English, Shah's statement risks alienating millions who aspire to learn the language for practical reasons. It could also influence policy decisions on language in education, potentially restricting access to global opportunities for students from non-elite backgrounds. This could deepen social divides between urban and rural populations, and between those with and without access to English medium education. Encourages anti-intellectualism and cultural backwardness Equating English proficiency with cultural shame is a form of anti-intellectualism from Shah. It delegitimises those who are comfortable in English, often the best-educated and most globally connected Indians, and suggests that cosmopolitanism is un-Indian. This closes minds, discourages openness and promotes a parochial, inward-looking mindset at a time when India needs to engage with the world, not retreat from it. To sum up, Shah's statement is not just divisive; it is dangerous. It threatens social mobility, sows linguistic discord, risks India's global standing, fosters anti-intellectualism and distracts from the real challenges facing the country. Shah's ideological rhetoric of 'shame' is out of place, and is actively harmful to the country.
