One nation, One language: Pro-Kannada activists welcome Amit Shah's clarification

Bengaluru: A day after Home minister Amit Shah clarified that he was not for the forceful imposition of Hindi across the country but had only advocated its use as a common language, pro-Kannada activists in the state welcomed the BJP leaders clarifying his remarks and expressed relief that Hindi would not be imposed on them or anyone.

“We appreciate Shah for clarifying his remarks on Hindi. He should have done (clarified) it on the same day (September 14) or next day when we protested and threatened to launch an agitation if Hindi is imposed on us,” Kannada Rakshana Vedike (protection forum) president Narayana Gowda was quoted speaking to IANS.

Meanwhile, Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader Ramesh Babu said with so many languages and dialects, it would be difficult to have a common or one language across the country for practical reasons.

‘Hindi Diwas’ had taken a political twist in the state with the Congress and JD(S) leaders terming it as an imposition of the language. A pro-Kannada outfit has also warned of agitations from October 1, if the Centre imposes Hindi in the state.

The reaction of the parties comes in the wake of Union Home minister Amit Shah pitching for a common language for the country and saying it was Hindi which was spoken the most and can unite the whole country.