Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday voiced his support for learning Hindi, urging states to avoid engaging in “unnecessary politics” over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its proposed three-language policy. Naidu’s remarks come amid ongoing opposition to the NEP’s language provisions in Tamil Nadu and other southern states.
Language as a Tool for Communication
Addressing the Andhra Pradesh state assembly, Naidu emphasized the practical benefits of learning multiple languages, describing Hindi as the “national language” and English as the “international language.” He underlined that learning Hindi would help improve communication, particularly in national-level interactions in Delhi.
“I am telling this very clearly to you—language is not for hating. Here (in Andhra Pradesh), the mother tongue is Telugu. Hindi is the national language, and the international language is English,” Naidu said.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief argued that language should be seen as a tool for communication rather than a political issue. He encouraged students and professionals to learn multiple languages to improve their employment prospects and adapt to global markets.
Promoting Multilingualism for Better Opportunities
Naidu also defended the three-language policy outlined in the NEP, suggesting that learning more languages would open doors to better opportunities:
- Hindi – Useful for communication at the national level.
- English – Important for global communication and professional success.
- Mother Tongue – Strengthens cognitive understanding and academic performance.
He further noted that students who study in their mother tongue tend to excel globally, suggesting that the misconception that knowledge comes only through English should be challenged.
“Only people who study in their mother tongue are excelling across the world. It is easy to learn through the mother tongue,” Naidu said.
Naidu cited the growing number of Indians working in countries like Japan and Germany as proof that learning foreign languages can enhance career opportunities. He suggested that learning these languages domestically would prepare students for better prospects abroad.
Clarification on Language Imposition
Naidu’s remarks also addressed recent political controversies over Hindi imposition. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, leader of the Jana Sena Party, had previously faced criticism over his remarks on Tamil movie dubbing and the role of Hindi.
Kalyan later clarified his stance, stating:
“Either imposing a language forcibly or opposing a language blindly—both don’t help to achieve the objective of national and cultural integration. I had never opposed Hindi as a language; I only opposed making it compulsory.”
Kalyan’s clarification aligns with Naidu’s position that the NEP promotes language learning as a choice rather than a mandate.
Balancing Multilingualism and Regional Identity
Naidu’s support for the NEP’s language policy reflects a balanced approach toward promoting multilingualism while preserving the importance of regional languages like Telugu. His stance contrasts with Tamil Nadu’s outright opposition to the three-language policy, reinforcing Andhra Pradesh’s more pragmatic approach toward language learning.
Conclusion
Chandrababu Naidu’s endorsement of the NEP’s language policy highlights a broader effort to integrate multilingualism into India’s educational framework. By encouraging students to learn multiple languages—while retaining their mother tongue—Naidu aims to enhance communication skills and improve job prospects for students. His balanced approach positions Andhra Pradesh as a model for other states navigating the complexities of NEP’s language framework.
