Hindi Diwas celebrated with fanfare but non-Hindi speakers feel left out

September 14th is celebrated as Hindi Diwas across country as, in 1949, Hindi became official langu of India under Article 343. For close to seven deces, union government of India has been marking day with much pomp and pantry. day is celebrated even on social media and programs organised to celebrate in schools, colleges, and government offices too, however, this year, it has received backlash from sections of country, especially n-Hindi speaking south.

Resistance has been building up against union government for celebrating only Hindi, as langu activists contend that preferential treatment for langu and its speakers excludes almost 60% of Indians who are t native-Hindi speakers. But grouse against what is w being called as a systematic 'Hindi-imposition' by Government of India stretches beyond se events.

'In a linguistically diverse union of states like India, it would be against principles of justice, equality and freedom, on which our constitution is founded, to impose one langu on or langu speakers in ir own land. Unfortunately, Union government reies to celebrate this day as Hindi Diwas, also for a week as Hindi Saptaha and more recently for a fortnight as Hindi pakwa across all central government offices. This celebration is derisive on part of n-Hindi speakers of India and must be opposed,' says Vallish Kumar from Kanna Grahakara Koota. 

Last year, Bengaluru saw a campaign against use of Hindi sign in Metro rail in city's 'Namma Metro'. This soon swballed into a sustained anti-Hindi-imposition where organisations took up policy issues where Hindi was getting skewed antecedence. principle of linking Hindi with all Union government projects and schemes has been called as a step-morly treatment to n-Hindi speaking citizens. 

Cruse against central examinations like Institute of Banking Personnel Selection(IBPS), Union Public Service Commission(UPSC), Staff Selection Commission(SSC) being allowed to be written by candidates in eir Hindi and English have been a pursued by several organisations and movements in states like Karnataka and Tamilnu. demurral is that this disvants entrant who are t fluent in neir of langus and will give a clear benefit to those from Hindi speaking background. 

In 2016, RBI anunced Raj Bhasha award for ' dearth of original writing in field of banking in Hindi was being felt for a long time. To overcome this and to promote original writing in Hindi on ecomic/financial topics, Goverr, Reserve Bank of India anunced an award scheme for “Excellent writing in field of banking in Hindi”.' said RBI website.

Similarly, us of Hindi in forms provided by public sector banks and ATM, coupled with employees who can only converse in Hindi and English seems to be crippling bank customers t comfortable with eir of langus. In aircraft and trains, n-us of local langus has raised concerns among mostly natives of sourn and eastern states of India. 

Under Article 348 (2), Goverr of State may, with previous consent of President, authorize use of Hindi langu or any or langu used for any official purpose of State, in proceedings of High Court having its principal seat in that State provided that decrees, judgments or orders passed by such High Courts shall be in English. But despite this provision, repeated requests to allow Tamil to be used in Mras High Court has been shunned by center.

role of national parties in promoting Hindi, at cost of affront to or vernacular langus has caught piqued many langu activists. 

Ganesh Chetan, a member of Banavasi Balaga says, "How can Congress & BJP claim to be pro-diversity and still support Hindi hegemony? Hindi Diwas is a black day for all those who cherish plural and diverse nature of India. Constitutional amendments needed to stop Hindi imposition and to ensure langu equality".

Between 2001 and 2011, statistics reveal that 100 million speakers of Hindi increased, thus sparking off a debate of wher, of 22 official langus, as mandated by constitution, is Hindi getting disproportionate attention. With trepidation of or regional langus getting marginalised, campaigns against Hindi hegemony seems to be spreing, from fringe to mainstream. union government's outreach to n-Hindi citizens, if t in proportion to Hindi speaking ones will furr give a sense of alienation.