Remember, the idea behind the creation of Gorkhaland is not something of extending support in favour of Self Determination to the Gurkha people with a view to providing better life and opportunities but another conspiratorial plank to muffle the voice of Bengali people; A voice which is known all over the world for its progressive and revolutionary outlook. A voice that is synonymous and imperative with the right to Political Dissent, vital for any functioning Democracy.
The Idea is to cut Bengal to size, prune it into submission, culturally bombard its children away from its ethos, dilute its Spirituous dissident voice.
Unite Against any move to appease the Gurkhas.
Demolish all institutional construct symbolic of Gorkhaland.
Stage Vocal Protest against further partition of Bengal.
Nikhil Bongo Anushilon Samiti calls upon Public consensus on the following Socio-Political line vis-a-vis Gorkhaland Issue--
1. Dissipate the Entire Gurkha populace of North Bengal across small pockets in India.
2. Let all States in India Including West Bengal Shoulder the responsibility of their (Gurkhas') well being.
3. Provide them with OBC status and other concessions as per extant Policy of Govt. of India.
4. Create a non-political Gorkha Forum with a single seat Rajya Sabha representation to look into their .
grievances.
5. Complete monitoring of Indo-Nepal Border against infiltration by Nepalese and their subsequnt claim of
being a Gorkha.
6. Identify and segregate foreigners (Nepalese) who identify themselves as Indian by Birth or Descent or
by Naturalisation.
7. Studying Bengali as first Language or Second Language in School and College curriculum be made
Mandatory across State aided schools in the entire Jalpaiguri District.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Excerpts from Tamil Tribune.--A Lesson for Bengal...!!!
Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 1 of 6
http://amrutmanthan.wordpress.com/
Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language, Culture and
Identity in Mumbai and Maharashtra (India)
(Note: The article by Thiru. Thanjai Nalankilli was published in the May 2010 issue of
the ‘Tamil Tribune’. We have obtained their permission to publish the article on our
‘Amrutmanthan’ blog.)
OUTLINE
1. Mumbai Taxi Cab Drivers, Hindi and Marathi
2. Power of Hindi Politicians
3. Hindification and De-Marathification of Mumbai
4. Official Language of Mumbai City Municipal Corporation
5. Hindi in Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly
6. Mumbai is a Metropolis (Metropolitan City)
7. Consequences of Indian Government's Language Policy
8. Decline of Marathi Language Study and Use
9. Decline of Marathi Literature
10. Loss of Marathi Culture and Identity
11. What Can Marathi People Do to Protect Marathi Language, Culture and Identity?
12. Message to Other Non-Hindi States
DEFINITIONS
Hindians: People whose mother tongue is Hindi (similar to Tamil speakers are
sometimes referred as Tamilans or Tamilians).
1. Mumbai Taxi Cab Drivers, Hindi and Marathi
Chief Minister of Maharashtra State, Mr. Ashok Chavan, told reporters on January 20,
2010 that taxi driver permits would be issued only to those who can read and write
Marathi, the language of Maharashtra area for over a thousand years. There are over
200000 taxi drivers in the city of Mumbai (Bombay) and many of them are from
Hindi states who have come to Maharashtra seeking jobs. Most of them cannot read or
write Marathi. General Secretary of Mumbai Taxi Drivers Association strongly Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 2 of 6
opposed the new requirement and said, "These are laborers. They cannot go to school
and learn Marathi." We have to wonder. These taxi drivers must have passed drivers'
test. If they can learn the rules of the road, why can't they learn the language of the
state? How can a Maharashtrian visiting their state's crown jewel Mumbai (Bombay)
converse with taxi drivers to go from railway station to a hotel or from bus station to a
hotel? Hindians want people all over India, including the non-Hindi state of
Maharashtra, to learn Hindi and communicate with them in their language while they
refuse to learn the language of the soil - Marathi. This arrogance, this imperial
attitude, pervades not only among Mumbai Hindians but also among most Hindians
who migrate to work in other non-Hindi states [Reference 1]. Can a Marathi go to the
Hindi city Lucknow and expect to drive taxicabs there without knowing Hindi? No,
absolutely not. Shirish Parkar of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) correctly
pointed out, “People from other states come to Maharashtra because of their need, not
ours. It should be made imperative for them to learn Marathi.”
2. Power of Hindi Politicians
Opposition to the Marathi requirement came not only from Hindians who came to
Mumbai to work but also from Hindi politicians in Hindi-belt states. Chief Minister of
Maharashtra reeled back from this Hindian "assault" and withdrew the order the very
next day. The power of Hindi politicians runs not only in their own states but
throughout India. No chief minister could displease Hindi politicians too much and
expect to hold the chief minister position for long. At the 83rd All-India Marathi
Literary Meet held in Pune on March 28, 2010, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra,
Mr. Manohar Joshi, said, “The state government wants to implement laws [making
Marathi compulsory] but it is afraid of the Centre [Indian Government].” Why should
a chief minister elected by the people of the state and have a majority in the state
legislative assembly be afraid? Indian government can dismiss any state government
(and thus the chief minister). Indian parliament is dominated by Hindi politicians and
thus they control the Indian government [Reference 2]. If a state government acts in a
manner that is detrimental to the interests of Hindi people, Indian government could
dismiss that state government. This threat hangs over every chief minister and they do
consider it while making decisions.
3. Hindification and De-Marathification of Mumbai
Some who opposed the Marathi language requirement said that Mumbai is a
metropolitan city and so does not belong to Maharashtra but to India and there should
be no requirement of Marathi. At the very same time that Hindi politicians oppose
Marathi language requirement for Mumbai taxi drivers, the very same Hindi
politicians support the Indian government requirement that all employees of Indian
government and Indian-government controlled enterprises must pass Hindi
examinations. Indian government owned enterprises include Indian Railways, airports,
nationalized banks, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation (ONGC) and many more; they employ hundreds of thousands of
employees throughout India. Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 3 of 6
Let us examine this double standard of Hindi politicians. A taxi cab driver in the
streets of the Maharashtrian city of Mumbai should not be required to learn Marathi
but those who work in the State Bank branches in Mumbai must pass Hindi
examinations; there is no requirement that they know Marathi although most
customers at these branches are likely Marathi speakers. Employees at the Life
Insurance Corporation (LIC) branches in Mumbai must know Hindi but knowledge of
Marathi is not a requirement although many of its customers are Marathi speakers.
Now go to the railway station. There also employees must know Hindi but no
requirement that the stationmaster or ticket clerks or any employee know Marathi. Go
to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA). All customs and immigration
officials should know Hindi but no requirement for Marathi. Embark on any Indian-
government owned Air India flight to anywhere. All flight attendants must know
Hindi but most do not know Marathi. This is the unfair language policy of India and
any attempt by states to enforce their linguistic identity are opposed by Hindians and
Hindi politicians. This policy makes the language of the soil--Marathi--unnecessary
and useless in Mumbai but a language from hundreds of miles away, Hindi, is made
essential and necessary. In other words Mumbai, the crown jewel of Maharashtra, is
de-Marathified and Hindianized.
4. Official Language of Mumbai City Municipal Corporation
While opposing Marathi language requirement for Mumbai taxi drivers, Mumbai
Hindians want to make Hindi an official language of Mumbai City Municipal
Corporation. These people came to Mumbai to earn a living. Instead of learning the
local language they want Mumbai City Municipal Corporation to communicate with
them in their mother tongue. The audacity and arrogance of Hindians! There are
Tamils, Bengalis, Punjabis, Telugus, ... who live in Mumbai but none of these people
demand that their language be made an official language of the city. Would the Hindi
city Delhi make Marathi or any other Indian language an official language because
large numbers of them live in Delhi? No. Then what right do Hindians have to ask
Mumbai to make Hindi an official language of Mumbai? Only linguistic group in
India to make such a demand is Hindi speakers. People who go to another state to earn
a living must learn the local language; they shall not demand that local people learn
their language. Shirish Parkar of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is correct when
he said, “People from other states come to Maharashtra because of their need, not
ours. It should be made imperative for them to learn Marathi.”
5. Hindi in Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly
In October 2009, Samajwadi Party MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly), Mr.
Abu Asim Azmi, demanded that he should be given the legislative documents in
Hindi, as he is not fluent in Marathi. According to his own admission, he was living in
Maharashtra for 40 years and had not learnt Marathi. Linguistic states were formed in
the 1950s so state business could be conducted in the state language and all major
languages of India get their due place and develop as modern languages. Politicians
serving in the Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly must learn the state official
language, and not demand that the language of the state where they were born be used.
This destroys the very core of the formation of linguistic states. Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 4 of 6
6. Mumbai is a Metropolis (Metropolitan City)
Some who opposed Marathi requirement for taxi drivers argued that Mumbai is a
metropolitan city (large, busy city) and so Marathi knowledge should not be a
requirement. Metropolis or not, Mumbai is a Maharashtrian city and just because it is
now a major business and cultural centre it shall not be de-Marathified and Hindified.
Paris is a metropolitan city but every taxi driver knows French. Tokyo is a
metropolitan city but every taxi driver knows Japanese.
If Mumbai is a metropolitan city and thus Marathi should not be a requirement for taxi
driver license, why is Hindi a requirement to work in Mumbai railway stations? Why
is Hindi a requirement to work in Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
(CSIA)? Why are flight announcements made in Hindi in Air India flights from and to
Mumbai? (By the way, Air India refuses to make flight announcements in Marathi.)
7. Consequences of Indian Government's Language Policy
So far we discussed the current language situation in Mumbai and the ongoing tussle
between Marathi and Hindi in Mumbai. Pro-Marathi camp wants to make the
language of the soil, Marathi, a requirement for at least some jobs in Mumbai. Pro-
Hindi camp wants to make Marathi an "unnecessary language" for employment and
business in Mumbai while making Hindi a "required language" at least for jobs in
Indian government establishments in Mumbai such as railway stations, airport and
banks. What are the consequences if the pro-Hindi camp succeeds in sidelining
Marathi in Mumbai?
8. Decline of Marathi Language Study and Use
When knowledge of Marathi becomes unnecessary to get and hold most jobs in
Mumbai and at the same time Hindi is a requirement for holding tens of thousands of
jobs at Indian government establishments, parents would make sure that their children
are proficient in English and Hindi and neglect Marathi study. This is not because
Marathi parents love English/Hindi over their mother tongue; they do so because
Marathi is becoming non-essential to get jobs. Make Marathi essential to get and hold
jobs in Maharashtra whether private jobs or state government jobs or Indian central
government jobs, parents would make sure that their children are proficient in
Marathi.
Neglect of Marathi starts in major cities but will soon spread to other regions of
Maharashtra. Generation after generation, within the next few generations, Marathi
would become a language just spoken at home, while English and Hindi would reign
as the language of education and business. Hindi would never meet the fate of Marathi
because Hindi is a requirement for hundreds of thousands of jobs at Indian
government establishments throughout India. Only way to protect Marathi from being
relegated to the backyards is to make Marathi a requirement to get and hold jobs in
Maharashtra whether with private businesses or state government or Indian central
government.
9. Decline of Marathi Literature Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 5 of 6
Once Marathi is neglected in schools, readership of Marathi literature would decline.
If only a few are reading Marathi literature, very few writers would opt to write in
Marathi but would choose to write in English and Hindi. The rich classical literature
in Marathi would also feel the effect. In the next and the following generations, fewer
and fewer Marathis would be able to appreciate or even understand classic Marathi
literature. Marathi classics would collect dust in libraries. Only way to enrich Marathi
language is through the creation of new modern literature and studying and analyzing
classical literature. Government subsidies to Marathi literature creation and studies
would only be a cosmetic solution, the real solution is to make Marathi an essential
language for business and employment in Maharashtra.
10. Loss of Marathi Culture and Identity
Literature is not just entertainment; this is especially true of classic literature.
Embedded within the classic literature are historical information, heritage and cultural
roots. Much of the Maharashtra population in two or three generation may not or
cannot read their classics and would not have an appreciation for their literature and
heritage. A people who do not know their roots, culture and heritage would soon lose
their identity as a people. This sad state of affair awaits the Marathi people if effective
action is not taken by the Maharashtrian government and people on the language front
now. The current tussle over Marathi language requirement for Mumbai taxi cab
drivers is just the beginning of a tug of war over the protection of Marathi identity of
Mumbai and the state. If Mumbai is de-Marathified today, the entire state of
Maharashtra would follow suit over the decades.
11. What Can Marathi People Do to Protect Marathi Language, Culture and
Identity?
A systematic and carefully planned movement is necessary to protect Marathi
language, culture and identity in Mumbai and the entire Maharashtra. Periodic or
sporadic protests here and there over specific issues like Marathi language
requirement for taxi drivers, compulsory Marathi courses at schools, Marathi name
boards in shops, etc. would not solve the problem. The root causes of the problem
should be addressed.
1) Education used to be under the exclusive domain of states. Then it was moved
under the joint domains of state and central governments. Education should be
brought back under the exclusive domain of state government, and all schools,
universities and institutions of higher education should be under state jurisdiction.
Only then will Marathi language receive its due place in the educational system.
Indian government shall devolve more taxes to states so they may fund all educational
institutions from primary schools to institutions of higher learning. States need not
have to beg the central government for funds.
2) Everyone working in Maharashtra should be able to read and write Marathi well,
whether they are employed by private business, municipalities, state government or
central government.
3) All communication between Indian central government offices in Maharashtra and
residents of Maharashtra shall be in Marathi. Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 6 of 6
State government does not have the power to implement these steps. Only the Indian
parliament could enact laws and amend the constitution to achieve these goals. This
writer, who has studied Indian government's language policies and actions over the
years, is of the opinion that Indian parliament, dominated by Hindi politicians
(although not a majority), would NOT do so. Marathi people should either accept that
Marathi language would continue to decline in Maharashtra or chart a course of action
to protect Marathi.
12. Message to Other Non-Hindi States
Today it is Mumbai. Tomorrow it would be Calcutta, Bangalore, Hyderabad and
Chennai. All major cities would be Hindified (Hindianized) and the state languages
sidelined. This destructive process would spread from the major cities to other areas of
the states. In fact it is already happening in Bangalore and Chennai (I am not familiar
with Calcutta and Hyderabad). All non-Hindi states should support the Maharashtrian
people in their move to protect their Marathi identity instead of watching the events
from sidelines.
(Author Thanjai Nalankilli is from Tamil Nadu and he has written over a dozen
articles on the effect of Indian government's language policy on the future of Tamil
and Tamil Nadu. Search the Internet and Internet Archives for Nalankilli Hindi
imposition.) Thanjai Nalangkilli
REFERENCES
1. Hindi and Hindian Arrogance Test our Patience (by Thanjai Nalankilli),
TAMIL TRIBUNE, April 2010 (15 KB)
2. Who Rules India? (Part I) (by Thanjai Nalankilli), TAMIL TRIBUNE,
November 2000 (44 KB)
RELATED ARTICLES
Collection of Articles on Hindi Imposition in India
The original article is available at the following link.
http://www.tamiltribune.com/10/0501.html
Akhanda Bangla Anushilon Samiti acknowledges the Right of the Author and the Publisher. It is posted here in good faith and for the Same Cause, for which the Author and the Publisher, Tamil Tribune, both Claim to Stand.
Page 1 of 6
http://amrutmanthan.wordpress.com/
Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language, Culture and
Identity in Mumbai and Maharashtra (India)
(Note: The article by Thiru. Thanjai Nalankilli was published in the May 2010 issue of
the ‘Tamil Tribune’. We have obtained their permission to publish the article on our
‘Amrutmanthan’ blog.)
OUTLINE
1. Mumbai Taxi Cab Drivers, Hindi and Marathi
2. Power of Hindi Politicians
3. Hindification and De-Marathification of Mumbai
4. Official Language of Mumbai City Municipal Corporation
5. Hindi in Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly
6. Mumbai is a Metropolis (Metropolitan City)
7. Consequences of Indian Government's Language Policy
8. Decline of Marathi Language Study and Use
9. Decline of Marathi Literature
10. Loss of Marathi Culture and Identity
11. What Can Marathi People Do to Protect Marathi Language, Culture and Identity?
12. Message to Other Non-Hindi States
DEFINITIONS
Hindians: People whose mother tongue is Hindi (similar to Tamil speakers are
sometimes referred as Tamilans or Tamilians).
1. Mumbai Taxi Cab Drivers, Hindi and Marathi
Chief Minister of Maharashtra State, Mr. Ashok Chavan, told reporters on January 20,
2010 that taxi driver permits would be issued only to those who can read and write
Marathi, the language of Maharashtra area for over a thousand years. There are over
200000 taxi drivers in the city of Mumbai (Bombay) and many of them are from
Hindi states who have come to Maharashtra seeking jobs. Most of them cannot read or
write Marathi. General Secretary of Mumbai Taxi Drivers Association strongly Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 2 of 6
opposed the new requirement and said, "These are laborers. They cannot go to school
and learn Marathi." We have to wonder. These taxi drivers must have passed drivers'
test. If they can learn the rules of the road, why can't they learn the language of the
state? How can a Maharashtrian visiting their state's crown jewel Mumbai (Bombay)
converse with taxi drivers to go from railway station to a hotel or from bus station to a
hotel? Hindians want people all over India, including the non-Hindi state of
Maharashtra, to learn Hindi and communicate with them in their language while they
refuse to learn the language of the soil - Marathi. This arrogance, this imperial
attitude, pervades not only among Mumbai Hindians but also among most Hindians
who migrate to work in other non-Hindi states [Reference 1]. Can a Marathi go to the
Hindi city Lucknow and expect to drive taxicabs there without knowing Hindi? No,
absolutely not. Shirish Parkar of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) correctly
pointed out, “People from other states come to Maharashtra because of their need, not
ours. It should be made imperative for them to learn Marathi.”
2. Power of Hindi Politicians
Opposition to the Marathi requirement came not only from Hindians who came to
Mumbai to work but also from Hindi politicians in Hindi-belt states. Chief Minister of
Maharashtra reeled back from this Hindian "assault" and withdrew the order the very
next day. The power of Hindi politicians runs not only in their own states but
throughout India. No chief minister could displease Hindi politicians too much and
expect to hold the chief minister position for long. At the 83rd All-India Marathi
Literary Meet held in Pune on March 28, 2010, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra,
Mr. Manohar Joshi, said, “The state government wants to implement laws [making
Marathi compulsory] but it is afraid of the Centre [Indian Government].” Why should
a chief minister elected by the people of the state and have a majority in the state
legislative assembly be afraid? Indian government can dismiss any state government
(and thus the chief minister). Indian parliament is dominated by Hindi politicians and
thus they control the Indian government [Reference 2]. If a state government acts in a
manner that is detrimental to the interests of Hindi people, Indian government could
dismiss that state government. This threat hangs over every chief minister and they do
consider it while making decisions.
3. Hindification and De-Marathification of Mumbai
Some who opposed the Marathi language requirement said that Mumbai is a
metropolitan city and so does not belong to Maharashtra but to India and there should
be no requirement of Marathi. At the very same time that Hindi politicians oppose
Marathi language requirement for Mumbai taxi drivers, the very same Hindi
politicians support the Indian government requirement that all employees of Indian
government and Indian-government controlled enterprises must pass Hindi
examinations. Indian government owned enterprises include Indian Railways, airports,
nationalized banks, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation (ONGC) and many more; they employ hundreds of thousands of
employees throughout India. Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 3 of 6
Let us examine this double standard of Hindi politicians. A taxi cab driver in the
streets of the Maharashtrian city of Mumbai should not be required to learn Marathi
but those who work in the State Bank branches in Mumbai must pass Hindi
examinations; there is no requirement that they know Marathi although most
customers at these branches are likely Marathi speakers. Employees at the Life
Insurance Corporation (LIC) branches in Mumbai must know Hindi but knowledge of
Marathi is not a requirement although many of its customers are Marathi speakers.
Now go to the railway station. There also employees must know Hindi but no
requirement that the stationmaster or ticket clerks or any employee know Marathi. Go
to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA). All customs and immigration
officials should know Hindi but no requirement for Marathi. Embark on any Indian-
government owned Air India flight to anywhere. All flight attendants must know
Hindi but most do not know Marathi. This is the unfair language policy of India and
any attempt by states to enforce their linguistic identity are opposed by Hindians and
Hindi politicians. This policy makes the language of the soil--Marathi--unnecessary
and useless in Mumbai but a language from hundreds of miles away, Hindi, is made
essential and necessary. In other words Mumbai, the crown jewel of Maharashtra, is
de-Marathified and Hindianized.
4. Official Language of Mumbai City Municipal Corporation
While opposing Marathi language requirement for Mumbai taxi drivers, Mumbai
Hindians want to make Hindi an official language of Mumbai City Municipal
Corporation. These people came to Mumbai to earn a living. Instead of learning the
local language they want Mumbai City Municipal Corporation to communicate with
them in their mother tongue. The audacity and arrogance of Hindians! There are
Tamils, Bengalis, Punjabis, Telugus, ... who live in Mumbai but none of these people
demand that their language be made an official language of the city. Would the Hindi
city Delhi make Marathi or any other Indian language an official language because
large numbers of them live in Delhi? No. Then what right do Hindians have to ask
Mumbai to make Hindi an official language of Mumbai? Only linguistic group in
India to make such a demand is Hindi speakers. People who go to another state to earn
a living must learn the local language; they shall not demand that local people learn
their language. Shirish Parkar of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is correct when
he said, “People from other states come to Maharashtra because of their need, not
ours. It should be made imperative for them to learn Marathi.”
5. Hindi in Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly
In October 2009, Samajwadi Party MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly), Mr.
Abu Asim Azmi, demanded that he should be given the legislative documents in
Hindi, as he is not fluent in Marathi. According to his own admission, he was living in
Maharashtra for 40 years and had not learnt Marathi. Linguistic states were formed in
the 1950s so state business could be conducted in the state language and all major
languages of India get their due place and develop as modern languages. Politicians
serving in the Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly must learn the state official
language, and not demand that the language of the state where they were born be used.
This destroys the very core of the formation of linguistic states. Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 4 of 6
6. Mumbai is a Metropolis (Metropolitan City)
Some who opposed Marathi requirement for taxi drivers argued that Mumbai is a
metropolitan city (large, busy city) and so Marathi knowledge should not be a
requirement. Metropolis or not, Mumbai is a Maharashtrian city and just because it is
now a major business and cultural centre it shall not be de-Marathified and Hindified.
Paris is a metropolitan city but every taxi driver knows French. Tokyo is a
metropolitan city but every taxi driver knows Japanese.
If Mumbai is a metropolitan city and thus Marathi should not be a requirement for taxi
driver license, why is Hindi a requirement to work in Mumbai railway stations? Why
is Hindi a requirement to work in Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
(CSIA)? Why are flight announcements made in Hindi in Air India flights from and to
Mumbai? (By the way, Air India refuses to make flight announcements in Marathi.)
7. Consequences of Indian Government's Language Policy
So far we discussed the current language situation in Mumbai and the ongoing tussle
between Marathi and Hindi in Mumbai. Pro-Marathi camp wants to make the
language of the soil, Marathi, a requirement for at least some jobs in Mumbai. Pro-
Hindi camp wants to make Marathi an "unnecessary language" for employment and
business in Mumbai while making Hindi a "required language" at least for jobs in
Indian government establishments in Mumbai such as railway stations, airport and
banks. What are the consequences if the pro-Hindi camp succeeds in sidelining
Marathi in Mumbai?
8. Decline of Marathi Language Study and Use
When knowledge of Marathi becomes unnecessary to get and hold most jobs in
Mumbai and at the same time Hindi is a requirement for holding tens of thousands of
jobs at Indian government establishments, parents would make sure that their children
are proficient in English and Hindi and neglect Marathi study. This is not because
Marathi parents love English/Hindi over their mother tongue; they do so because
Marathi is becoming non-essential to get jobs. Make Marathi essential to get and hold
jobs in Maharashtra whether private jobs or state government jobs or Indian central
government jobs, parents would make sure that their children are proficient in
Marathi.
Neglect of Marathi starts in major cities but will soon spread to other regions of
Maharashtra. Generation after generation, within the next few generations, Marathi
would become a language just spoken at home, while English and Hindi would reign
as the language of education and business. Hindi would never meet the fate of Marathi
because Hindi is a requirement for hundreds of thousands of jobs at Indian
government establishments throughout India. Only way to protect Marathi from being
relegated to the backyards is to make Marathi a requirement to get and hold jobs in
Maharashtra whether with private businesses or state government or Indian central
government.
9. Decline of Marathi Literature Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 5 of 6
Once Marathi is neglected in schools, readership of Marathi literature would decline.
If only a few are reading Marathi literature, very few writers would opt to write in
Marathi but would choose to write in English and Hindi. The rich classical literature
in Marathi would also feel the effect. In the next and the following generations, fewer
and fewer Marathis would be able to appreciate or even understand classic Marathi
literature. Marathi classics would collect dust in libraries. Only way to enrich Marathi
language is through the creation of new modern literature and studying and analyzing
classical literature. Government subsidies to Marathi literature creation and studies
would only be a cosmetic solution, the real solution is to make Marathi an essential
language for business and employment in Maharashtra.
10. Loss of Marathi Culture and Identity
Literature is not just entertainment; this is especially true of classic literature.
Embedded within the classic literature are historical information, heritage and cultural
roots. Much of the Maharashtra population in two or three generation may not or
cannot read their classics and would not have an appreciation for their literature and
heritage. A people who do not know their roots, culture and heritage would soon lose
their identity as a people. This sad state of affair awaits the Marathi people if effective
action is not taken by the Maharashtrian government and people on the language front
now. The current tussle over Marathi language requirement for Mumbai taxi cab
drivers is just the beginning of a tug of war over the protection of Marathi identity of
Mumbai and the state. If Mumbai is de-Marathified today, the entire state of
Maharashtra would follow suit over the decades.
11. What Can Marathi People Do to Protect Marathi Language, Culture and
Identity?
A systematic and carefully planned movement is necessary to protect Marathi
language, culture and identity in Mumbai and the entire Maharashtra. Periodic or
sporadic protests here and there over specific issues like Marathi language
requirement for taxi drivers, compulsory Marathi courses at schools, Marathi name
boards in shops, etc. would not solve the problem. The root causes of the problem
should be addressed.
1) Education used to be under the exclusive domain of states. Then it was moved
under the joint domains of state and central governments. Education should be
brought back under the exclusive domain of state government, and all schools,
universities and institutions of higher education should be under state jurisdiction.
Only then will Marathi language receive its due place in the educational system.
Indian government shall devolve more taxes to states so they may fund all educational
institutions from primary schools to institutions of higher learning. States need not
have to beg the central government for funds.
2) Everyone working in Maharashtra should be able to read and write Marathi well,
whether they are employed by private business, municipalities, state government or
central government.
3) All communication between Indian central government offices in Maharashtra and
residents of Maharashtra shall be in Marathi. Amrutmanthan: Hindi Will Destroy Marathi Language (Tamil Tribune)
Page 6 of 6
State government does not have the power to implement these steps. Only the Indian
parliament could enact laws and amend the constitution to achieve these goals. This
writer, who has studied Indian government's language policies and actions over the
years, is of the opinion that Indian parliament, dominated by Hindi politicians
(although not a majority), would NOT do so. Marathi people should either accept that
Marathi language would continue to decline in Maharashtra or chart a course of action
to protect Marathi.
12. Message to Other Non-Hindi States
Today it is Mumbai. Tomorrow it would be Calcutta, Bangalore, Hyderabad and
Chennai. All major cities would be Hindified (Hindianized) and the state languages
sidelined. This destructive process would spread from the major cities to other areas of
the states. In fact it is already happening in Bangalore and Chennai (I am not familiar
with Calcutta and Hyderabad). All non-Hindi states should support the Maharashtrian
people in their move to protect their Marathi identity instead of watching the events
from sidelines.
(Author Thanjai Nalankilli is from Tamil Nadu and he has written over a dozen
articles on the effect of Indian government's language policy on the future of Tamil
and Tamil Nadu. Search the Internet and Internet Archives for Nalankilli Hindi
imposition.) Thanjai Nalangkilli
REFERENCES
1. Hindi and Hindian Arrogance Test our Patience (by Thanjai Nalankilli),
TAMIL TRIBUNE, April 2010 (15 KB)
2. Who Rules India? (Part I) (by Thanjai Nalankilli), TAMIL TRIBUNE,
November 2000 (44 KB)
RELATED ARTICLES
Collection of Articles on Hindi Imposition in India
The original article is available at the following link.
http://www.tamiltribune.com/10/0501.html
Akhanda Bangla Anushilon Samiti acknowledges the Right of the Author and the Publisher. It is posted here in good faith and for the Same Cause, for which the Author and the Publisher, Tamil Tribune, both Claim to Stand.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Appeal To People of Bengal.
An Appeal to all Self-respecting Bengalis:
Nikhil Bongo Anushilon Samiti—
Nikhil Bongo Anushilon Samiti—
i. Unite against deliberate suppression of (Bengali) indigenous culture and Bangla language.
ii. Unite against conspiratorial dispersal of Bengalis from west Bengal.
iii. Unite against deliberate propaganda though media to denigrate Bengali way of life and its intellectual outlook.
iv. Unite against brain-storming of younger generation by means of mediocre TV Serials and Shows to glorify and idealize self-indulgent,
exploitative, anti-intellectual mindset.
v. Unite to denounce any form of Hindi-imperialism in the guise of favours, rewards, promises of Jobs, better prospects etc.
vi. Unite against Trafficking of Bengali girls and forced prostitution.
vii. Unite against Centre orchestrated marginalisation of Bengali intelligentsia in Administrative Services in Bengal.
viii. Unite against patronage and pampering of Non-Bengali vote banks.
ix. Unite against Electoral representation at any level by non-Bengali individual on Bengali soil.
x. Unite against acquisition of farm land on the pretext of industry or satellite / mega city to accommodate affluent non-Bengali elements hostile to and scornful of Bengali middle and lower middle class people.
We expect your support and spirited participation in protecting the larger interest of our people and safeguarding future for posterity.
Remember, if we do not act fast we will definitely be reduced to a minority in our own land.
We are already running late. If we are running at all...!!!
Join Hands......Be a part of this Movement....Become an Activist....Shoulder Responsibilities....!!!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Akhanda Bangla Anushilon Samiti--Manifesto
Akhanda Bangla Anushilon Samiti is a Socio-Political and Economic reformation (Peoples) Movement that draws inspiration from the great Martyrs of Undivided Bengal nurtured in the ideological spirit of Surya Sen et al.
It aims at restoring the hegemony of Bengalis (by Birth and Blood) in Bengal and thereby uplifting the socio-economic condition of Bengalis through series of socio-economic political reforms. It aims at restoring the supremacy of Bengali Race in Bengal and curtailing the privileges and exploits of Non-Bengalis to a drastic level so as to create room for real progress for the ‘Children of the Soil’.
It aims at creating (awareness) among the Bengalis—
i. A Feeling of Brotherhood.
ii. An inherent zeal to extend helping hands to fellow Bengalis.
iii. Untiring Effort to Promote Bangla Language.
iv. An Aspiration to make the Bengalis the most enlightened, culturally superior and economically prosperous race in the entire Indian sub-continent through superior Education and inculcating refined taste by the promotion of Literature, History, Philosophy and Music as also Cinema.
v. An environment of better opportunities for home grown talents in Arts, Science, Music, Literature, Cinema and Sports etc.
vi. Pride to be a Bengali and its Bold Assertion.
vii. A society of Healthy, Strong and Intellectually Bright People with progressive outlook.
We strongly Condemn and Resist—
i. Further Partition of Bengal.
ii. Influx of Non-Bengalis into Bengal.
iii. Non-Bengalis buying Farm Land.
iv. Settlement of Non-Bengalis in Rural Bengal.
v. Creation of Non-Bengali Ghettos or Pockets in Urban and Semi-Urban regions.
vi. Migration of Non-Bengalis into Bengal with the intention of Permanent Settlement.
vii. Electoral Representation by Non-Bengalis in any part of Bengal.
viii. Anti-Bengali activities in thoughts, ideology or actions.
ix. Disparaging remarks on Bengali way of Life, Thoughts, Art and Culture.
x. Slander of Bengali Luminaries (Heroes).
xi. Criminal activities or running Crime Syndicates by Non-Bengalis.
xii. Creation of Societies, Political entities, Trust or Charities hostile or antagonistic to Bengalis’ right to Self Determination or identity.
xiii. Involvement of Non-Bengalis in political activities of any Political Party within the Geo-political boundaries of West Bengal.
xiv. Trafficking of Bengali girls / women
and forced prostitution.
and forced prostitution.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Paean To the People of Maharashtra...!!!
On a recent visit by a friend, who currently lives in Pune, I have had the chance to experience the feelings of the people of Maharashtra waking up to the dignity of their race, their language, their Motherland and of course, to the essence of being a proud Maratha.
Whenever a Maratha is ill treated—I am told—he simply asserts, “How do you say such things to me..? I am a Marathi (in Marathi).”
Self assertion comes only through dignity one earns by restoring one’s Mother tongue to its glory; it’s because you can change your religion, your dress, your eating habits, and sometimes even your country but you can never change your mother tongue; your Nationality, which is borne by your Mother tongue.
So if You need to survive as a race, you need to assert yourself in the place which historically, culturally and politically belongs to you. Mother tongue is the Flag; and you the flagstaff...both inseparable.
It is another thing what the rest of India might say—to me they are Heroes, who deserve a following by any self respecting race that seeks to assert its right to self-determination and total uplift of its people; but there are others who think they are chauvinists far removed from the letter and spirit of our Constitution.
But we have to remember that constitution of a country is made in keeping with the times and ethos of extant socio-political realities of a country and which by all means is subject to revision and amendments justifying it with the need of changing times and socio-political realities in question. The plain logic is that People are not made for Ideals (political, social, religious so on & so forth) but the opposite.
Akhanda Bangla Anushilon Samiti its solidarity with the people of Maharashtra in their rightful claim to their motherland against outsiders, against political, cultural and economical supremacy of non-Marathas in Maharashtra.
Akhanda Bangla Anushilon Samiti condemns all domination in the name of industrialization, economic development and equal opportunity and thereby unlawful deprivation of common Marathas in their own land.
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