LINGUISTIC SECULARISM 

• India’s vast religious and linguistic diversity plays a vital role in upholding its secular fabric, contributing to national unity and cohesion. However, while these elements are central to any cultural identity, they often serve as major sources of cross-cultural tension. This is evident in recent incidents of communal unrest and violence, such as those witnessed in Maharashtra.
• The Indian model of secularism differs significantly from its Western counterpart. When secularism emerged in mid-19th century England, it emphasized a complete detachment between religion and state, without passing judgment on existing religious practices.
• India adopted this principle and embedded it in its Constitution, granting citizens the right to religious freedom.
• These rights are rooted in the values of tolerance and equality, giving every individual the liberty to follow, practice, and share their faith. This ensures that the Indian state remains religion-neutral.
• However, Indian secularism extends beyond religion—it also embraces linguistic diversity. Unlike Western secularism, which is often religion-focused, the Indian version neither promotes nor opposes any religion or language.
• Rather, it takes a balanced stance, enshrined in the Constitution as a directive principle. This enables the state to actively counter both religious and linguistic communalism, reinforcing India’s commitment to pluralism

3. Official and National Language

• This is precisely why India neither has nor can have a single national language. To preserve its rich linguistic heritage, the Constitution's Eighth Schedule recognizes 22 official languages.
• As a Union of States functioning under a unitary federal structure, Article 343 declares Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.
• However, individual states are granted the autonomy to adopt their own official languages. This system reflects India's cultural unity, ensuring that no state asserts separation based on linguistic or cultural identity.
• Additionally, Article 29 guarantees that any group of Indian citizens, including minorities, has the right to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture. It also protects against discrimination on the basis of language.
• As per the 2011 Census, India is home to 121 languages and 270 mother tongues. Roughly 96.71% of the population speaks one of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule as their mother tongue.
• The Census further categorizes these 121 languages into two groups: those recognized in the Eighth Schedule and 99 others that are not

• India’s rich linguistic diversity must be safeguarded, and every language—regardless of its regional or state origins—deserves equal respect. This inclusive approach is essential to uphold the country’s principle of linguistic secularism.
• Several states, particularly in the south and northeast, have opposed the promotion of Hindi, expressing concerns over cultural domination. In Tamil Nadu, Dravidian movements have historically resisted Hindi imposition, promoting the use of Tamil and English instead.
• Meanwhile, Maharashtra has become particularly sensitive in the ongoing language discourse. Recent incidents of violence targeting non-Marathi speakers reflect the rise of identity politics.
• However, such acts cannot be justified as efforts to preserve cultural heritage. If cultural preservation were truly the goal, advocates of the Marathi language would embrace the values of tolerance and openness—core elements of India’s strength in diversity.
• India’s long-standing tradition of embracing multiple religions, beliefs, ways of living, and dietary practices stems from its fundamentally tolerant and open-minded nature. In today’s globalized era, any rigid or exclusionary stance toward religion or language can threaten social harmony and undermine the nation’s secular character.
• It is the responsibility of political parties to safeguard India’s pluralism, a diversity that the Constitution has carefully protected

 

5. Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

 

 

• The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the official languages recognized by the Indian government. It was originally included to promote the progress and preservation of languages that form an essential part of India’s cultural and linguistic heritage.
• When the Constitution came into effect in 1950, the Eighth Schedule listed 14 languages. Over time, recognizing the linguistic diversity of India and the demands from various linguistic communities, the list was expanded through constitutional amendments.
• As of now, 22 languages are included in the Eighth Schedule. These languages are not just symbolic representations; they receive official recognition and support from the government for development, preservation, and use in education, administration, and communication.
• The inclusion of a language in the Eighth Schedule means that it can be used in official purposes such as parliamentary proceedings, judiciary matters, and communications between the Union and the states. It also means that the government has an obligation to promote and develop these languages, ensuring they are preserved for future generations.
• However, it is important to understand that the Eighth Schedule does not imply that these are the only languages spoken in India.
• According to the Census of 2011, India has over 121 languages and more than 270 mother tongues, reflecting a deeply multilingual society. The Schedule simply provides a framework for official recognition and support.
• In a country as diverse as India, the Eighth Schedule plays a crucial role in maintaining linguistic harmony. It helps ensure that no major language group feels excluded from national identity or official processes. At the same time, it acknowledges the need for unity by balancing multiple linguistic identities within the broader Indian identity

 

6. Classical Languages in India

• In India, the term "Classical Languages" refers to a special category of languages that are recognized for their ancient origins, rich literary heritage, and historical significance. These languages are not just old, but they have made a lasting impact on the cultural and intellectual traditions of India over centuries.
• The idea of designating certain Indian languages as "Classical" emerged in the early 2000s, with the intention of honouring languages that have a long history and a vast body of ancient literature.
• The Indian government laid down specific criteria to determine whether a language qualifies for classical status. These include antiquity (meaning the language must have existed for at least 1500–2000 years), a rich body of ancient texts, and a literary tradition that is distinct from modern forms of the language.
• The first language to be granted classical status was Tamil, in 2004. Tamil is not only one of the oldest living languages in the world, but it also has an unbroken literary tradition going back over two millennia.
• After Tamil, five more languages were recognised as classical: Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. Each of these languages has a vast collection of ancient texts, from poetry and drama to philosophy and science, reflecting the intellectual achievements of past civilizations.
• Classical language status comes with certain benefits. The government provides financial support for research and promotion of these languages, including the setting up of centers for their study, scholarships for students, and awards for scholars who contribute to the field. These measures are meant to preserve and revitalize classical traditions that are often at risk of being forgotten.
• It is important to note that a classical language is not necessarily a language spoken widely today in its original form. For example, Sanskrit, though foundational to many Indian languages and still used in religious and scholarly contexts, is not a widely spoken mother tongue. Yet its influence on Indian thought, literature, and spirituality is immense

 

 

 

 

For Prelims: Official Language, Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution, Sustainable Development Goals, University Grants Commission, Kothari Commission, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan,  For Mains:  1. Discuss the key provisions and objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. How does it aim to transform the Indian education system, and what are its implications for inclusive development? (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1. Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018) 1. As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a State, a person would be required to possess the minimum qualification laid down by the State Council of Teacher Education concerned. 2. As per the RTE Act, for teaching primary classes, a candidate is required to pass a Teacher Eligibility Test conducted in accordance with the National Council of Teacher Education guidelines. 3. In India, more than 90% of teacher education institutions are directly under the State Governments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2         (b) 2 only            (c) 1 and 3            (d) 3 only Answer: B   2. Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2016) 1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the 'Club of Rome'. 2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A.1 only       B. 2 only          C.  Both 1 and 2            D. Neither 1 nor 2   Answer: B   3. The objective(s) of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan is/are: (UKSSSC Forest Guard 2021)  A. To provide quality based education to all children from 14 to 18 years B. Universal standstill till the year 2020 C. To provide residential school for the students of remote areas D. All of the above   Answer: D

 

Source: The Hindu