“Without Our Languages, We Cease to Be Truly Indian”: Amit Shah Renews Call to Reject ‘Slavery Mentality’ and Embrace Indian Languages

Minister Amit Shah on Thursday doubled down on his vision for a linguistically self-reliant India. Reiterating that Indian languages are essential to national identity, Shah declared that linguistic pride is the first step to breaking free from the “mentality of slavery”.

“There is no opposition to any language. There should not be opposition to any foreign language. But there must be an insistence to glorify our own language, to speak in it, and to think in it,” Shah said, addressing an event in New Delhi.

He emphasized that shedding the psychological remnants of colonialism cannot happen unless Indians take pride in expressing themselves in their native languages.

“We must get rid of the mentality of slavery. Until a person takes pride in his language and expresses himself in it, we cannot be free from that mindset,” he added.

Calling language the “soul of a nation,” Shah urged for the preservation and promotion of Indian languages—particularly the official ones—stating:

“We should keep our languages alive. This is not just about communication, this is about our national identity.”

The remarks followed a previous statement by Shah at a book launch last week that sparked intense backlash. In that address, he had said: “In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed—the creation of such a society is not far away.”

“Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian. To understand our country, our culture, our religion—no foreign language can suffice.”

He went further to claim that a “complete India cannot be imagined through half-baked foreign languages,” expressing confidence that Indian society would eventually rise above its dependency on English.

“I am fully aware of how difficult this battle is, but I am also fully confident that Indian society will win it. Once again, with self-respect, we will run our country in our own languages and lead the world too,” Shah asserted.

The Opposition was quick to counter his remarks. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP’s stance, calling it an elitist ploy to restrict opportunities for the underprivileged.

“English is as essential as your mother tongue,” Rahul Gandhi stated, arguing that it secures employment and builds confidence.

“The BJP and RSS don’t want poor children to learn English. They don’t want you to ask questions, move forward, or stand equal,” he alleged.