Riots Erupt in India After Hindi Becomes the Official Language
The declaration of Hindi as India's official language on January 26, 1965, ignited significant unrest across the country, especially in non-Hindi-speaking regions like Tamil Nadu. While Hindi is spoken by over 40% of the Indian population, the nation is home to more than 100 recognized languages, creating a complex linguistic landscape. The move to make Hindi the official language was part of a broader debate dating back to India's independence in 1947, where the role of English and regional languages was contentious. Following the announcement, violent protests erupted, particularly among students, leading to confrontations with authorities and the tragic deaths of 23 students. In response to the escalating violence, the Indian government declared a state of emergency and closed many educational institutions. Ultimately, a compromise was reached that maintained Hindi as the official language while allowing states the choice to use English as an alternative. Over the years, nearly 20 additional languages have also gained official recognition, reflecting India's diverse linguistic heritage and the ongoing dialogue around language and identity. This historical event highlights the challenges of managing a multicultural society with a rich tapestry of languages and regional identities.
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Riots Erupt in India After Hindi Becomes the Official Language
Riots Erupt in India After Hindi Becomes the Official Language
India, which is thousands of years old and home to some of the most ancient civilizations in the world, is a country with a myriad of ethnic groups and cultures. Among its peoples' many differences are their various languages. For this reason, the institution of Hindi as the nation's official language on January 26, 1965, was met with violent protest.
Hindi is India's predominant language and is spoken by over 40 percent of the population, but India has over 100 recognized tongues. None of these other languages claims more than a single-digit percentage of the overall population—including English, which is spoken by approximately 5 percent of the people. English, however, is the language of the upper classes and the educated elite, because it was the language of the British Empire during the colonial era. Many Indians, including Gandhi, received their higher education in England and the practice of going to England for schooling still remains common among privileged Indians.
After India achieved independence in 1947, the issue of an official language became a thorny one. The constitution of 1950 made Hindi the official language, though not until 1965; in the interim English was to have that status. Consequently, on the 15th anniversary of the constitution—that is, on Republic Day, January 26, 1965—the government declared Hindi to be the new official language. This proclamation caused riots in non-Hindi-speaking states in the south of India, notably the state of Madras, now known as Tamil Nadu. Local students in particular organized protests which became violent when they clashed with the authorities, and after 23 students were killed the Indian government declared a state of emergency on February 11, 1965, closing many schools. A compromise was reached whereby Hindi would remain the official language, but local states had the option of retaining English as an alternative if they wished. Since then, nearly 20 other Indian languages have been granted some degree of official recognition by the federal government or various state authorities.