Instead of imposing Hindi, govt should focus on recognizing regional identities: Siddu

Bengaluru: Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah joining the chorus against a proposal for teaching Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states on Monday said, “Instead of imposing Hindi, the government should focus on recognising regional identities.”

In a series of tweets, Siddaramaiah expressed his denial for the new National Education Policy draft which imposes Hindi in non-Hindi states, proposed by the panel constituted in the previous Modi government and said, “Ours is a land that exhibits Unity in Diversity. Peaceful coexistence is the need to establish harmony & any force shall work against the laws of society. For us Kannada is an identity, &learning any other language should be by Choice & not by imposition.
#StopHindiImposition ”

In another tweet, he said “New National Education Policy draft imposes Hindi in non-Hindi states & this goes against our sentiments. If recognition of regional identity is inconsistent according to few then imposition of Hindi is nothing but a brutal assault on our States.”

He further added “Instead of imposing Hindi, the government should focus on recognising regional identities & give more space to the states to express & manifest their ideas through their own culture & language. We are all Kannadigas in India,” he tweeted.

In the wake of the controversy, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar had on Saturday clarified the committee had only prepared a draft report and no decision has been taken on implementing it.

He asserted no language should be imposed on anyone.

The panel was constituted by Javadekar when he was HRD minister in the previous Modi government.

“The committee has submitted its report. The draft has been prepared but the government has not taken any decision. It is just a misunderstanding. We will only take a decision after feedback on the draft has been received,” Javadekar had said.