What harm will learning Hindi do, Madras HC asks TN govt

 What harm will learning Hindi do, Madras HC asks TN govt

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Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

26.01.2022

Chennai: “What harm will learning Hindi do? Many have lost the opportunity of getting central government jobs without knowing Hindi,” the Madras high court said on Monday.

The first bench of acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice P D Audikesavalu made the observation while hearing a public interest writ petition seeking implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Tamil Nadu.

Responding to the observation, TN advocate-general R Shunmugasundaram said, “The Tamil Nadu government follows two-language policy and not three-language policy as it would be overburdening students. ” Moreover, no one is stopped from learning Hindi in the state. “There are institutions like the Hindi Prachar Sabha where one can learn Hindi,” he added.

To this, the court said, “Learning is different from teaching”. The court then admitted the plea moved by Arjunan Elayaraja of Cuddalore and directed the state to respond within four weeks.

‘Learning only mother tongue won’t be helpful’

According to the petitioner, learning only a person’s mother tongue would not be helpful.

The language has to go hand in hand with other Indian languages, particularly Hindi and Sanskrit, he said.

“…the authorities must take concerted effort in implementing NEP 2020 and also in upholding the constitutional mandates and the directions of the Supreme Court,” the petitioner said. One has to shudder over what would be the consequence if every state would take a stand like Tamil Nadu, he added.

Actually, NEP does not impose either Hindi or Sanskrit. It only offers multiple languages and introduces a three-language policy with emphasis on mother tongue, he said.

“But considering the constitutional mandate and the judgments of the Supreme Court the state has to make Hindi compulsory and may be, Sanskrit optional,” the petitioner claimed.