Thread by @jamewils

When this regime is now hell bent on one nation, one language, I think it is high time to shed some light and rewind the Constituent Assembly debates on national language.

#thread 👇

#StopHindilmposition
#StopHindiImperialism

Listen to Sri. T. A. Ramalingam Chettiar

"...they (Hindi People) will have to realise that we too may have some patriotism like that, we may have some patriotism and love for our language, for our literature and things like that."

#StopHindilmposition

Chettiar added further

"After all, where do we stand ? We have got languages which are better cultivated and which have greater literature than Hindi in our areas."

#StopHindilmposition

See how a Hindi Chauvinist Sri. R. V. Dhulekhar argued for Hindi in CA

"I belong to Indian nation, the Hindi Nation, the Hindu Nation, the Hindustani Nation."

After many decades, Amit Shah & Co argue in the same line, let us say #StopHindilmposition

"At a gathering of students and professors in Dacca, the moment Mr. Jinnah advised people to take to Urdu in Arabic script as the language, of the newly created islamic state, there were cries of 'No, no'."

Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra at CA

#StopHindilmposition

He further added:

"I submit that language is such a vital thing that if by mere votes or fiats you decide it, it will sink deep into the hearts of those who do not voluntarily accept it. They will go with sore and lacerated feelings, which will ultimately break all as under."

Now listen to the arguments of Shri P. T. Chacko (United State of Travancore & Cochin)

"No language can be imposed upon an unwilling people. No nation has ever succeeded in imposing the language of the majority upon the minority."

Chacko made some very solid arguments:

"Language as the vehicle of thought determines to a large extent our mental makeup. The capacity for thought, and for thought development, to a great degree is limited by the thinker's language of expression."

#StopHindilmposition

It is a pleasure to read Chacko's logical reasoning and arguments:

"Therefore it is a question to be decided whether we should have one single language as the official language of India or we should have more than one-for example Bengalee, Tamil, Hindi and even English."

Chacko was so eloquent here when he said this:

"I feel that it would be better for us to leave the decision on this question to soberer men"

When we will have soberer men as we have only Shahs?

#stophindiimpostion

Whenever I tune to our English TV Channels, I never call them national channels, I always have the same feeling expressed by Shri B. Das of Orissa in CA when these English channels air Hindi narratives without subtitles. #stophindiimpostion

Dr. P. Subbarayan in CA

"I am also reminded of the other Tamil proverb which says, if a man comes and asks for a little place on the verandah and if you grant it, he will next ask for entry into the house itself. That is the position of most of you gentlemen, today."

"By their intrasigence, by their intolerance,-they may not recongnise it as such, but the other non-Hindi speaking people have interpreted their actions and speeches and their attitude as fanatical intolerance"

Mr. Frank Anthony (C.P. & Berar)

#StopHindilmposition

"Then why you are denying the Muslims their rights by banning Urduscript ? You have got a majority so you are, trying to ban it completely-to finish it."

Qazi Syed Karimuddin (C. P. & Berar)

#stophindiimpostion

"Is ur approach going to be a democratic approach or what might be termed & authoritarian approach ? I venture to put this question to the enthusiasts for Hindi, because in some of the speeches I have listened here & elsewhere there is very much a tone of authoritarianism"
Nehru

Nehru further asked:

"Do we want a modem India with modem science and all the rest of it, or do we want to live in some ancient age, in some other age which has no relation to the present?"

"We have accepted Hindi in Nagari script as the official language. I however said that you cannot use the word national language, because Hindi is no more national to us than, English or any other language."

Love to quote Chettiar again #StopHindiImposition

"We have been priding ourselves that we have had nothing to do with Sanskrit. We do not claim that Tamil is derived from Sanskrit, or is based on Sanskrit in any way. We have been trying to keep our vocabulary as pure as possible without the admixture of Sanskrit."

Chettiar

How they fought against the imposition of Hindi numerals in the CA...read this fierce argument from Chettiar

#StopHindilmposition

"I appeal to the North Indian people not to take up that attitude, to have a feeling that we are all living together in a common country, we have to create a nation-there is no such thing now-and that unless there is give and take.....

unless they are also prepared to adjust themselves and not demand every. body to adjust according to their dictates. It is only then that India can proceed and ran be successful and form a united nation."

Chettiar's fierce speech #StopHindiImposition

Concluding words of Mr. Chettiar on CA debate

"Unless you weld the nation and you make everybody feel that they have got a share in the country and it is their country, unless you do that, f you go on keeping the spirit of domination of one part over the other,.....

I am sure the result is not going to be for the progress or for the safety of the country. if you go on keeping the spirit of domination of one part over the other, I am sure the result is not going to be for the progress or for the safety of the country.

Here is the screenshot of the concluding words of Chettiar on CA debate.

It is still relevant in this country, when majoritarians trample the rights of minorities....

Let me end this thread here with these words of wisdom.

#StopHindiImperialism #StopHindilmposition