Promote Linguistic Equality:
Hindi is Not National Language of India
Dear
Friends, Check the protests by our North-East students for the
linguistic rights in Delhi University. Recently launched a protest
asking Delhi University to stop indirectly imposing Hindi. Students
released memorandum to Ministry of HRD, you could see the excerpt of it
below and full copy in the link.
Its Good to see youth from
North-East actively voicing against Hindi imposition, and we already
have many North-East Friends in this ca. 1000 membered group. Hopefully
youth from various linguistic groups could start networking with each
other, towards our common goal of bringing constitutional amendment that
no single language is sole official language of union, all 8th Schedule
Languages are official language of union and the lethargy of updating
8th schedule list must be condemned and be updated regularly.
_________________________ ________________________ ____________________
Excerpt From NEFIS Memorandum:
Respected Sir,
We are submitting this memorandum to register our deeply felt sense of
resentment against the new course structure that is to be introduced by
Delhi University next academic year onward. It has come to our notice
that as per the requirements of the new course structure it would become
compulsory for every student to learn either Hindi or one of the Modern
Indian Languages (MIL) as part of the foundational course. [please see
Annexure I attached herewith has acopy of the new proposed syllabus
displayed on Delhi University website.] Sir,we are certain that your
good office is aware of the fact that MILs consist only of the languages
recognized by the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India which
consists of Assamese/Axomiya, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri,Gujarati, Hindi,
Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri (also Meitei
or Meithei), Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali,
Sindhi,Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Even from this narrow list, the
university has the infrastructure/faculty to offer only a very small
number of languages. This means that the languages of a number of
communities from all parts of India and particularly the North-East
would not be offered to the students by the university. We consider this
dismal situation a result, not of the inadequacy of our respective
languages but a by-product of the long standing bias and neglect on part
of the government of India and the respective state governments in
ensuring that the distinct cultural identity and dignity of the
marginal/minoritygroups and communities is preserved. The fact that the
languages of so many communities/marginal groups is not given due
recognition is not accidental but the unfortunate result of the insolent
attitude of an arrogant state that chooses to impose its culture and
language upon marginal groups/communities inthe manner of a haughty
conqueror.
Students from the North-East, if they are forced to
opt for the compulsory language course,they would either fail the
examination or would pass put with lower grades. If this is allowed to
happen then the disadvantage of the youth from the North-East in seeking
jobs in the labour market would become worse.
Sir, it is high
time that the government recognizes our right to equality of opportunity
with the students from the rest of thecountry. The government and the
institutions run by it cannot shirk from their responsibility to pay
particular attention to the special needs of the vulnerable sections of
the society, but so far the attitude of the University administration
has been most disappointing. Despite three protests and the submission
of a memorandum by us, the University administration did not deem it
necessary to even reply to us and instead treated us like criminals.
Gates to the dean’s office, which usually remain open for thorough fare,
were shut in our faces, tight security was clamped down, heavily armed
police was called in and we were video recorded every time we tried to
meet the Dean or theVice-Chancellor to convey our message. The security
guards hurled dirty abuses upon us and some of us were even manhandled.
Apart from this the University administration has even been resorting to
making individual telephone calls and intimidation of our organizers.
This is hardly a record becoming of the premier institution of learning
of a country that claims itself to be the world’s largest democracy. Sir
it is not the sheer size that makes a country great, the spirit of
inclusiveness and sensitivity toward the vulnerable sections are by far
the much more important criteria. The repressive tactics used by the
University administration has lead us to lose faith that the
institutions run by the government of India are capable of living up to
the highest standards ofdemocratic spirit and inclusiveness that the
oppressed minorities of thiscountry expect of it.
We appeal to the good office of your officeto kindly intervene into this matter and ensure the following:
1. Make the compulsory Hindi/MIL course optional.
2. Take immediate steps to develop the infrastructure, adequate faculty
and syllabus for the MILs presently offered by the University.
3.
Immediately look into the matter of students who were illegally forced
to take the compulsory Hindi exam in the older format resulting in their
failure in the University examination and ensure that they are provided
the best possible remedy
4. Provide other kinds of remedies/reliefs
that this ministry may deem fit, apt and just to ensure the welfare of
the affected students.
https://www.facebook.com/
Its Good to see youth from North-East actively voicing against Hindi imposition, and we already have many North-East Friends in this ca. 1000 membered group. Hopefully youth from various linguistic groups could start networking with each other, towards our common goal of bringing constitutional amendment that no single language is sole official language of union, all 8th Schedule Languages are official language of union and the lethargy of updating 8th schedule list must be condemned and be updated regularly.
_________________________ ________________________ ____________________
Excerpt From NEFIS Memorandum:
Respected Sir,
We are submitting this memorandum to register our deeply felt sense of resentment against the new course structure that is to be introduced by Delhi University next academic year onward. It has come to our notice that as per the requirements of the new course structure it would become compulsory for every student to learn either Hindi or one of the Modern Indian Languages (MIL) as part of the foundational course. [please see Annexure I attached herewith has acopy of the new proposed syllabus displayed on Delhi University website.] Sir,we are certain that your good office is aware of the fact that MILs consist only of the languages recognized by the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India which consists of Assamese/Axomiya, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri,Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri (also Meitei or Meithei), Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi,Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Even from this narrow list, the university has the infrastructure/faculty to offer only a very small number of languages. This means that the languages of a number of communities from all parts of India and particularly the North-East would not be offered to the students by the university. We consider this dismal situation a result, not of the inadequacy of our respective languages but a by-product of the long standing bias and neglect on part of the government of India and the respective state governments in ensuring that the distinct cultural identity and dignity of the marginal/minoritygroups and communities is preserved. The fact that the languages of so many communities/marginal groups is not given due recognition is not accidental but the unfortunate result of the insolent attitude of an arrogant state that chooses to impose its culture and language upon marginal groups/communities inthe manner of a haughty conqueror.
Students from the North-East, if they are forced to opt for the compulsory language course,they would either fail the examination or would pass put with lower grades. If this is allowed to happen then the disadvantage of the youth from the North-East in seeking jobs in the labour market would become worse.
Sir, it is high time that the government recognizes our right to equality of opportunity with the students from the rest of thecountry. The government and the institutions run by it cannot shirk from their responsibility to pay particular attention to the special needs of the vulnerable sections of the society, but so far the attitude of the University administration has been most disappointing. Despite three protests and the submission of a memorandum by us, the University administration did not deem it necessary to even reply to us and instead treated us like criminals. Gates to the dean’s office, which usually remain open for thorough fare, were shut in our faces, tight security was clamped down, heavily armed police was called in and we were video recorded every time we tried to meet the Dean or theVice-Chancellor to convey our message. The security guards hurled dirty abuses upon us and some of us were even manhandled. Apart from this the University administration has even been resorting to making individual telephone calls and intimidation of our organizers. This is hardly a record becoming of the premier institution of learning of a country that claims itself to be the world’s largest democracy. Sir it is not the sheer size that makes a country great, the spirit of inclusiveness and sensitivity toward the vulnerable sections are by far the much more important criteria. The repressive tactics used by the University administration has lead us to lose faith that the institutions run by the government of India are capable of living up to the highest standards ofdemocratic spirit and inclusiveness that the oppressed minorities of thiscountry expect of it.
We appeal to the good office of your officeto kindly intervene into this matter and ensure the following:
1. Make the compulsory Hindi/MIL course optional.
2. Take immediate steps to develop the infrastructure, adequate faculty and syllabus for the MILs presently offered by the University.
3. Immediately look into the matter of students who were illegally forced to take the compulsory Hindi exam in the older format resulting in their failure in the University examination and ensure that they are provided the best possible remedy
4. Provide other kinds of remedies/reliefs that this ministry may deem fit, apt and just to ensure the welfare of the affected students.
https://www.facebook.com/
To,
By: Nefis Delhi
