Hindi policy act of colonialism: Student bodies
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 11 2022:
Stating that people will learn Hindi language according to their own will, choice and situation, students' bodies have categorically said that forceful imposition of a language will be considered as an act of colonialism.
A release jointly issued by presidents of AIMS, AMSU, DESAM, KSA, MSF and SUK contended that the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah to make Hindi a compulsory subject till Class X in North East states including Manipur is unfortunate.
The bodies condemned such forceful imposition by a country which is regarded as the largest democracy in the world.
Pointing out that Manipur has its unique culture, tradition, languages and script, the release said that the state is witnessing a movement for protection and promotion of mother tongues of different communities and teaching to students through their respective mother tongues.
Learning through foreign languages has harmed the mother language; the student bodies noted, while making it clear that they will not allow forceful imposition of Hindi language so as to destroy the native indigenous languages.
The joint release further said that they didn't restrict the Hindi language and has no right to do so.
But, the forceful imposition of Hindi will never be accepted as it is considered as a policy of colonial domination.
The union government should know that the land has its unique culture and history and should acknowledge this fact.
Pointing out that Manipuri and Hindi are one of the 22 languages included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the release said that the languages have the same status.
"Will Manipuri language be allowed to teach in all of India", the joint release posed, while pointing out that UNESCO has been observing International Mother Language Day on February 21 every year to safeguard the indigenes.
More than 7000 communities having their own mother language have been observing the event to preserve their respective languages.
People of Manipur should not accept the notion of one nation, one religion and one language that will destroy the history, tradition, culture and language of different communities, the student bodies maintained.