Amid the row and sharp reaction over the statement by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah that all the eight North East States have agreed to make Hindi compulsory up to Class X, the Department of School Education, Nagaland, has clarified that it has not received any instruction for making Hindi compulsory in the secondary stage.
That, for now, settles the dilemma over whether Hindi would be made a compulsory subject for Classes 9 and 10. This clarification was timely. However, the issue is much larger than meets the eye.
Language has been used as a political tool over the centuries by powers-that-be to homogenize a given population and to gain control over them. No matter what views one may have, there’s no doubt that both language and politics have gone together to help shape history and that they will continue to do so. Even in the given context, that is, the Hindi row, the interplay between politics and language cannot be ruled out.
Viewed from a neutral perspective, it can be said there are advantages of making Hindi a compulsory subject in secondary school classes. In fact, no sensible person would disagree with the idea of learning multiple languages. However, there are also negatives to it. Yet, the opinion of this column is that it is more disturbing to note that not many people are ready to discuss or share their views on the issue in the public domain.
What the Union Home Minister has in mind is one thing, but it is disturbing to observe that no one in Mokokchung has the heart to come out in public and express his or her opinion on the matter.
This silence on our part exhibits just how warped a society ours has become. Is there really no one out here in Mokokchung with the aptitude to analyze the Hindi row and enlighten the fellow citizens about the same?
There are intellectuals and concerned citizens even in places like Kohima and Dimapur openly expressing their opinions and views, be it for or against, thereby contributing towards building a more informed and educated citizenry. Mokokchung is slowly becoming a reclusive and cloistered society with no one to shed light on burning issues that affect the lives of the citizens. This is not a healthy sign.