The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has raised alarms over comments made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the English language in India. In a formal representation to the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the NPCC expressed serious concerns following Shah’s remarks during the launch of his Hindi book, “Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon,” on June 19, 2025. Shah reportedly stated, “In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed,” and insisted that governance should be conducted in Indian languages rather than “half-baked foreign languages.”
NPCC President S. Supongmeren Jamir characterized Shah’s remarks as alarming and exclusionary, warning that such statements could lead to significant policy shifts that would adversely affect states like Nagaland, where English is the primary means of communication among its 16 major tribes. The NPCC deemed this perspective as a threat to India’s rich linguistic diversity, undermining the constitutional rights of communities that depend on English for education, governance, and inter-tribal interactions.
Furthermore, the letter from NPCC recalled a historical parallel to regional autonomy challenges faced during the 1970s under the Janata Party regime when former Prime Minister Morarji Desai attempted to diminish the unique identities of smaller northeastern states. This earlier attempt was countered by Congress President Indira Gandhi, who defended the minority rights of hill leaders.
In light of these developments, the NPCC is urging the AICC to address the issue urgently and to prompt a correction of the Union Minister’s remarks. They stress that such corrective measures are essential for fostering national unity and inclusivity in India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/nagaland/story/nagaland-congress-raises-concern-over-amit-shah-english-language-remarks-1232691-2025-06-21?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-06-21 20:34:00
