The Government of India has reportedly decided to celebrate Hindi month across the country. Hindi is not a national language as the Constitution of India does NOT grant national language status to any of the languages. All 22 regional languages should have the same preference as Hindi. Hindi should not receive any special treatment. We live in a country with various traditions and cultures.
The Constitution should be amended and all the 22 languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of official and administrative languages should be given the same status as Hindi, thereby preserving sovereignty of our dear country. Articles 343 to 351 should be repealed and all the languages should be declared equal.
The preferential treatment to Hindi and spending crores of rupees for its propagation proves bias towards other languages. Celebration of Hindi month is a well-calculated attempt to belittle other languages.
Let me quote C.M. of Tamil Nadu Mr. M.K. Stalin, “I suggest that holding such Hindi-oriented events in non-Hindi speaking states could be avoided, and instead, the celebration of local language month in respective states should be encouraged.”
I completely agree with the C.M. of Tamil Nadu and salute him for his exemplary courage.
Special recognition by the Centre to Hindi must end and equal weightage should be given to all the languages without any discrimination or bias.
Farooq AbdulgafarBawani
Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Malicious Propaganda about Waqf Properties
Muslims constitute around 22+ percent in India’s population. They have been living in the country for centuries with peace and amity along with the Majority Hindu (around 78+%) and other communities. It is sad that there has been adverse impact on the mutual centuries old cordiality due to malicious talk by some groups who are called followers of Hindutva ideology. The WAQF properties which belong to various educational, religious, welfare services institutions are actually donated by the affluent in the society for the development and welfare of the deserving from the community.
The constitutional amendment now under discussion is actually initiated by the central government, anti-Muslim groups out of jealousy, malice. Writing of a letter to the Head of Joint Parliamentary Group by one Vishwa Hindu Parishad suspecting the very title of properties only confirms the suspicious and the very aim of the initiative. There may be some room for doubt somewhere but the universalisation of suspicion makes one laugh.
The government should take a bold and unbiased stand in this case and those who have no locus-standi should be asked to prove their reason for suspicion.
Syed Ilyas Basha
Muradnagar, Hyderabad
SC Ruling Upholds Journo Freedom
The Supreme Court’s recent verdict protecting journalists from criminal charges for government criticism is a much-needed affirmation of press freedom. In a democracy, the right to express views, particularly by journalists, is enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
The case involving Abhishek Upadhyay highlights the importance of protecting these rights. Journalists must be free to report on sensitive issues like caste dynamics without fear of reprisal, as it ensures accountability in governance. They are a vital pillar of democracy and are the eyes and ears of the citizenry who play a pivotal role in unearthing evil deeds and fostering a healthy society.
Fazlur Ahmed
Bengaluru, Karnataka