What is there to celebrate 'Hindi Diwas' for non-Hindi speakers, asks HD Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: Terming 'Hindi Diwas' celebration as an "underhand method" to impose the language on people speaking other languages, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Monday demanded its cancellation.
In a series of tweets on a day on which Hindi Diwas is celebrated, the former Chief Minister warned against the "imposition" of the language and said the cordial nature of Kannadigas should not be construed as their weakness.
"In India, which is a land of diverse language, culture, and traditions, several means are being used to impose Hindi on people speaking other languages including Kannada. Today's Hindi Diwas is also one such underhand method. Proud Kannadigas are opposed to this Hindi Diwas which is a symbol of linguistic arrogance," Kumaraswamy tweeted in Kannada.
Hindi is not our national language and there is no such concept in our constitution, he said and alleged that despite this there have been attempts to project it as a national language and "do politics over it".
"It has now reached an extreme. Before people of other languages revolt against such attempts, the imposition of Hindi should be stopped," he added.
Education or learning is being used as an excuse to impose Hindi, Kumaraswamy said, adding, learning can be only by choice and not by imposition.
The imposition of a language should not question the identity of another language; it should not lead to "expiration" of another language or impair the country's culture, diversity, and unity, he said.
Pointing out that September 14 is observed as Hindi Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Beohar Rajendra Simha, who fought for the implementation of Hindi in central administration, he asked, "what is there for non-Hindi speakers to celebrate? Pointless Hindi Diwas should be canceled."
Kumaraswamy said, if Hindi Diwas has to be celebrated, then days of all other official languages including Kannada should be observed by the Centre across the country.
"Separate days should be announced for this. November 1 (Karnataka formation day) should be observed as Kannada day across the country."
In recent times, a wave of 'anti-Hindi imposition' sentiment has gathered momentum in a section of the population in Karnataka.
Slogans such as, "Hindi Gotthilla Hogo. Naavu Kannadigaru, Naavu Dravidaru" (We don't know Hindi, go away. We are Kannadigas, we are Dravidians), also #ServeInMyLanguage a social media campaign demanding for government services to be available in Kannada, has gained traction.
Like Hindi Diwas, the national education policy with three-language formula was also an attempt to impose Hindi, Kumaraswamy, the son of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said.
"Kannadigas' cordial nature should not be considered as their weakness...," he added.
The JD(S) leader had recently asked as to how much more people of other languages including Kannadigas have to "sacrifice" in this country for not knowing Hindi.
Alleging that political leaders from the South were deprived of opportunities by "Hindi politics and discrimination," he had also said it has prevented many South Indians from becoming Prime Minister.
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India dismisses report of Musk joining Modi-Trump call; says it was between 2 leaders only
New Delhi (PTI): India on Saturday rejected a media report that said billionaire Elon Musk joined a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump earlier this week.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Tuesday's conversation was between the two leaders only.
The New York Times, quoting unnamed US officials, reported that Musk participated in the call between Trump and Modi, adding it was an "unusual appearance" by a private citizen on a call between two heads of state.
"We have seen the story. The telephone conversation on March 24 was between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump only," Jaiswal said.
"As has been stated earlier, it provided the opportunity for exchange of views on the situation in West Asia," he said.
In its report, the New York Times said it is "unclear" why Musk was on the call or whether he spoke.
Our prime minister only spoke to Trump and there was no one else who spoke to the PM, people familiar with the matter said.
They suggested that it is for Washington to clarify if somebody else was in the room or listening to the conversation.
The New York Times said Musk's participation in the phone call signalled a reconciliation between the billionaire and Trump.
The two had fallen out last year following Musk's exit from a government task force charged with slashing the federal workforce.
The US president had initiated the phone call with Modi to discuss the West Asia crisis.
It was the first conversation between the two leaders since the West Asia conflict began on February 28.
In the conversation, Modi underlined the importance of ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible, noting that it is vital for global peace, stability and economic well-being.
