‘Those who speak English will feel ashamed’, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Shah’s remarks come at a time when the National Education Policy and attempts to impose Hindi continue to face intense resistance from southern states.

South First Desk Published Jun 19, 2025 | 5:09 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 19, 2025 | 5:09 PM

Union Minister Amit Shah

Synopsis: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asserted that an Indian society where English speakers “feel ashamed” is not very far. The remarks follow the continued and escalating tensions in southern states against the Centre’s policies that are viewed as imposing Hindi, while English is seen as a bulwark against it.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, 19 June, declared that Indians who speak English will “feel ashamed” in the near future, and that a complete India cannot be imagined “through half-baked foreign languages.”

Speaking at a book launch event, Shah asserted that without native languages, India will cease to exist.

“There is no crisis [with regard to Hindi]. Remember my words, and listen carefully. In our lifetimes, in this country, those who speak English will feel ashamed. The creation of such a society is not very far. Only those people are able to do things who resolve to do them. The languages of our country are the jewels of our culture. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian,” he said, according to ANI.

“To understand our country, our culture, our history, and our religion, no foreign language can suffice. The idea of a complete India cannot be imagined through half-baked foreign languages.”

He continued:

“I am fully aware of how difficult this battle is, but I am also fully confident that Indian society will win it. Once again, with self-respect, we will run our country in our own languages and lead the world too.”

Shah further asserted that by 2047, the centenary of India’s independence, the nation would rise to global prominence”

“Friends, for Amrit Kaal Prime Minister Modi has established the foundation of the Panch Pran: creating a goal for a developed India; freeing ourselves from every trace of slavery; taking pride in our heritage; dedicating ourselves to unity; and instilling a sense of duty in all our citizens,” he said.

“I travel the world, speak to many people, and I see that this Panch Pran is not merely a national goal devised by a politician, but has become a resolution for 130 crore people. That is why I say that by 2047, we will be at the top of the global stage. And in that, our languages will play a very important role. Our languages will not only be used in India but also internationally, for global welfare.“

Hindi imposition and the resistance to NEP

Shah’s remarks come at a time when the National Education Policy (NEP), introduced by the Centre in 2020, continues to face intense resistance from southern states, particularly Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

These states have consistently criticised the NEP as a means of imposing Hindi over regional languages and eroding local culture and heritage.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, on 5 February this year, called for collective pressure on the Union government to withdraw the policy. “We need to protect our federal structure and our languages. The NEP is not suited for Karnataka or for other southern states,” he said, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru.

Tamil Nadu, which has a longstanding history of opposing Hindi imposition, has been a particularly vocal critic.

In May, the Centre admitted to the Madras High Court that it is withholding Right to Education (RTE) quota funds from Tamil Nadu, after the state refused to sign an MoU linked to the NEP, further inflaming tensions.

Academics have also raised concerns over some of the NEP’s original content proposals.

Early drafts suggested the inclusion of Vedic mathematics, Arthashastra, and Pancha Bhoota theories in school curricula, while simultaneously casting doubt on established scientific concepts like the Pythagorean theorem. These ideas drew widespread criticism from educators, who argued they undermine scientific temper and academic rigour.

Language-related discontent is also visible in daily urban life, especially in Bengaluru. The city frequently sees flare-ups on social media over the use – or lack – of Kannada in public spaces – in signages, hoardings, and the lack of Kannada in public services like banks.

(Edited by Dese Gowda)

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the time is not far away when people speaking in English in India will “feel ashamed.” He made these remarks on Thursday while launching the book “Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon” by IAS officer Ashutosh Agnihotri.

At the event, Shah stated, “In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed — the creation of such a society is not far away. Only those who are determined can bring about change.” He emphasised the need to uphold India’s linguistic heritage, adding that India “cannot be imagined” with foreign languages, as one cannot understand one’s history, culture, and religion in an alien language.

Shah acknowledged the difficulties in reclaiming the prominence of Indian languages but expressed faith in Indian society to overcome these challenges. He said, “With pride in our languages, we will run our country, ideate, research, make decisions and lead the world too. There is no need for anyone to doubt this…Our languages will greatly contribute to us being at the top of the world in 2047.”

He further stated that literature has kept the lamps of religion, freedom, and culture lit during periods of darkness in the country. Shah said that changes in government did not affect society as much as attempts to touch its religion, culture, and literature, which were resisted.

Shah called for a “radical change” in the training of administrative officers, noting that rarely are they trained to introduce empathy into the system. He attributed this to British-era training models and stated that administrators cannot achieve the real objective of governance without empathy.

He concluded by saying, “When change becomes a mass movement, it becomes a revolution. Today, we can see this change in our country…I believe that by 2047, our journey of change will bring back our country’s glory”

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised the importance of Indian languages during an event, stating that the day was not far when people speaking English would feel ashamed in this country. The Union Minister added that India’s languages are jewels of our culture and without them we cease to be Indians.

Amit Shah’s takes pride in Indian languages

Addressing a gathering at the book launch of ‘Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon’, authored by a former civil servant, IAS Ashutosh Agnihotri, Amit Shah said, “In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed and the creation of such a society is not far away. Only those who are determined can bring about change. I believe that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian.”

“To understand our country, our culture, our history, and our religion, no foreign language can suffice. The idea of a complete India cannot be imagined through half-baked foreign languages. I am fully aware of how difficult this battle is, but I am also fully confident that Indian society will win it. Once again, with self-respect, we will run our country in our own languages and lead the world too,” he added.

Amit Shah emphasising the ‘Panch Pran’

While highlighting the Panch Pran, five pledges coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his one of the Independence Day speeches from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Amit Shah emphasised the importance those pledges, which have become a resolve of the country’s 130 crore plus people.

The Union Minister further added, “Modi Ji has laid the foundation of the ‘Panch Pran’ (five pledges) for the Amrit Kaal. Achieving the goal of a developed India, getting rid of every trace of slavery, taking pride in our heritage, staying committed to unity and solidarity, and igniting the spirit of duty in every citizen — these five pledges have become the resolve of 130 crore people. That is why by 2047, we will be at the pinnacle, and our languages will play a major role in this journey.”

Amit Shah also outlined the resolution for the need in the training of administrators while addressing the book authored by the civil servant, IAS Ashutosh Agnihotri.

Amit Shah’s comment on empathy-driven officer training

The Union Home Minister stressed upon empathy driven training of civil servants while taking a dig at British-era inspired training model.

“A radical change is needed in the training of administrative officers… rarely are they trained to introduce empathy in our system. Maybe because the British era inspired this training model. I believe that if any ruler or administrator rules without empathy, then they cannot achieve the real objective of governance,” Amit Shah added.

“When our country was consumed in an era of pitch black darkness, even then literature kept the lamps of our religion, freedom, and culture lit. When the government changed, no one opposed it. But whenever someone tried to touch our religion, culture and literature, our society stood against them and defeated them. Literature is the soul of our society,” the Home Minister said.

Thousands attended job fair held on Rahul Gandhi’s birthday: Indian Youth Congress

Vartha Bharati | 19-06-2025 | 16:50:00 IST

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi(PTI)

New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Thursday claimed that thousands of young job seekers turned up at its job fair held at the Talkatora Stadium here to mark the 55th birthday of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Calling the event a “historic platform for employment,” the IYC said that over 100 companies participated in the fair, offering more than 5,000 job opportunities.

“Preparations were in full swing in every corner… and now history is being made. Talkatora Stadium has become the biggest platform for employment today,” the youth wing said in a post on X.

Sharing videos of large crowds, the IYC emphasised, “This is neither an election rally nor a religious gathering. This is a crowd of thousands of youth looking for employment. When the platform is of opportunity, every step moves towards hope.”

IYC National President Uday Bhanu Chib remarked that the turnout was proof of the youth’s desperation for employment.

“These people are not affiliated with any political party. They are students who have studied hard but are still jobless. For many, this is the first real opportunity in the past 11 years,” he said.

Chib also pointed out that as the Congress is currently in Opposition, no government jobs could be offered at the fair. “If we were in power, job fairs like this would include government jobs too,” he added.

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Palamu IG Orders Three SPs To Probe Properties Of Naxalites’ Close Relatives

Palamu: Palamu IG Sunil Bhaskar has issued an instruction to the SPs of Palamu, Garwah and Latehar, directing them to asses the properties of relatives and close associates of the top Maoist commanders. Family members and close associates of over half a dozen top commanders of CPI Maoist, TSPC and JJMP have been put on the radar.

In the first phase of the assessment, notices will be served to family members of top commanders, asking for information about their properties. If they fail to come up with satisfactory replies, penal action will be initiated against them.

“Chargesheets have been filed against those Maoist commanders booked under UAPA-related cases. There is also a provision in the act for confiscating property. Three SPs have been instructed that if chargesheets are filed against any Naxalite who is wanted, then their property should be investigated. The investigation will reveal a clear picture of their properties and where the money earned from them is invested. Action will be taken against those sending money to Naxalites,” Bhaskar said.