Hindi Diwas 2024: What PM Modi, Amit Shah, Mamata Banerjee, and other leaders said about the importance of Hindi

As India celebrates Hindi Diwas, political leaders across the spectrum have shared their thoughts on the significance of Hindi in shaping the nation’s identity and its role in uniting a linguistically diverse country. Hindi Diwas is observed annually on September 14 to commemorate the day in 1949 when the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi as the official language of the Union. On this occasion, prominent leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and others have offered their reflections on the language’s cultural, social, and political importance.

PM Narendra Modi: “Hindi can be a unifying force”

In his Hindi Diwas address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted his personal connection to Hindi, describing how the language has allowed him to connect with the people of India. "I sometimes think that if I did not understand Hindi language, how would I have reached out to people or connected with them? I know the strength of the Hindi language personally," he shared.

PM Modi also paid tribute to several leaders who, despite not being native Hindi speakers, championed the cause of Hindi. "In our country, the Hindi language movement was led by figures like Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya Tilak, Kakasaheb Kalelkar, and Rajagopalachari, whose mother tongue was not Hindi, yet they worked tirelessly for the protection, conservation, and promotion of the language," he noted, emphasising how this inspired him to see Hindi as a bridge between India’s regional languages. “In the form of the mother tongue, every state has priceless treasures. How to connect all of it? In that process, Hindi can serve as a suitable medium.”

Amit Shah: “Hindi is a friend to all Indian languages”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a strong message about the complementary relationship between Hindi and other regional languages. There is no competition between the official language Hindi and other Indian languages; rather, they are friends and complement each other, Shah said. His remarks reinforced the notion that Hindi’s growth would not come at the expense of regional languages but would, instead, enhance them.

Shah also reflected on the historical significance of Hindi's adoption as the official language, marking 75 years since the Constituent Assembly’s decision. “Hindi has no competition with any local language. Whether it is Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, or Bangla, every language strengthens Hindi, and Hindi strengthens every language,” he stated.

Furthermore, Shah highlighted how the government, under Prime Minister Modi, has made significant strides in promoting both Hindi and regional languages, including new initiatives to incorporate Artificial Intelligence tools for translation. The Home Minister explained that a portal is being developed for the translation from Hindi to all the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.

Mamata Banerjee: “We respect all languages”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee used the occasion of Hindi Diwas to reaffirm her government's commitment to promoting Hindi while also emphasising the importance of linguistic diversity. “We respect all languages. Since 2011, we have made many efforts for the uplift of Hindi-speaking people in the state,” Banerjee said.

Highlighting the state's initiatives, she remarked on X, "From the establishment of the Hindi Academy to the creation of Hindi University and several Hindi colleges — these are achievements we are proud of." Her statement reflects how even non-Hindi-speaking states like West Bengal have taken steps to embrace the language while maintaining the importance of regional tongues.

Rajnath Singh: “Hindi is a tool for social unity”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the historical and cultural role of Hindi as a unifying force in Indian society. Reflecting on the significance of the language, Singh said, “From our freedom fighters to the nation’s strategists, Hindi has been seen as a tool for promoting social unity.”

He also praised the language’s ability to incorporate words from various other languages, making it more inclusive. “Hindi’s speciality lies in its abundance. It has absorbed words from many languages in an inseparable way. This quality stems from Indian culture and tradition, where every tradition has been followed and progressed in unity,” Singh added.

Pushkar Singh Dhami: “Hindi is the symbol of our culture and aspirations”

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami focused on Hindi’s role as a cultural touchstone for India. "Hindi is a symbol of our culture, feelings, aspirations, and ideals," he stated, adding that the language is vital in preserving the nation's heritage. Dhami emphasised that Hindi is not only a language but also a foundation for national unity, saying, "Hindi as a language acts as a bridge between the people of India."

Dhami called on all citizens to work together to promote Hindi and use it in daily life, stressing that collective efforts are necessary for Hindi to gain even more respect both within India and globally.

As Hindi Diwas is celebrated, these statements from key leaders reflect a unified desire to continue promoting Hindi, not just as an official language but as a medium that connects and unites India while respecting the diverse linguistic fabric of the nation.

(With inputs from agencies)