Hindi Is Not Our National Language,’ Says R. Ashwin: Understanding India’s Linguistic Reality

"A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people." — Mahatma GandhiIndia, with its tapestry of languages and dialects, stands as a testament to the power of diversity. Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin’s recent statement at a Tamil Nadu college convocation stirred the linguistic debate once again. Ashwin emphasized, “Hindi is not the national language of India but merely an official language.” His words echo a historical truth that often gets lost in the narrative: India, despite its vast linguistic diversity, does not have a national language.
This article explores the historical, cultural, and constitutional factors that underpin India’s linguistic policies and the reasons why Hindi remains an official—not a national—language.



India is home to 121 languages and 19,500 dialects (as per the 2011 Census). While Hindi is spoken by about 44% of the population as a first language, the remaining 56% speak a variety of other languages, such as Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Gujarati.
This linguistic diversity is both a strength and a challenge for India. While it fosters cultural richness, it has also led to political and social debates about the role of language in national unity.

India’s linguistic policies are rooted in its colonial history. During British rule, English became the administrative language, sidelining regional languages. Post-independence, the challenge was to create a linguistic framework that respected regional identities while fostering national unity.
In 1949, the Constituent Assembly debated whether to designate a national language. While many members pushed for Hindi, others opposed it vehemently. Non-Hindi-speaking states, particularly in the south, feared the imposition of Hindi would marginalize their languages.

The most notable opposition to Hindi came from Tamil Nadu during the 1960s. The central government’s attempt to make Hindi the sole official language sparked widespread protests, known as the Anti-Hindi Agitation. These protests culminated in casualties and significant unrest, forcing the government to revise its stance.

In 1967, the Official Languages Act was amended to allow the continued use of English alongside Hindi for official purposes indefinitely. This decision reaffirmed India’s commitment to linguistic inclusivity.

Today, Hindi holds the status of one of the two official languages of the central government, alongside English. It is also the most widely spoken language in India, with over 528 million speakers (Census 2011).

However, its dominance in numbers does not translate to universal acceptance:

English, meanwhile, serves as a link language, bridging the gap between Hindi-speaking and non-Hindi-speaking states. It is also the language of higher education, business, and global communication, making it indispensable in modern India.

At a college event in Tamil Nadu, Ravichandran Ashwin’s interaction with students highlighted the linguistic dynamics of the state. When he asked which language the audience preferred for his address, the majority chose Tamil, with no response for Hindi. Ashwin then clarified, “Hindi is not our national language but an official one.”

Ashwin’s remarks resonate with Tamil Nadu’s linguistic pride. Tamil, one of the oldest languages in the world, holds a special place in the state’s culture and identity. The state has long opposed the imposition of Hindi, championing the idea that no language should dominate others in a multilingual country.

Even Tamil Nadu’s BJP chief, K Annamalai, supported Ashwin’s statement, emphasizing that Hindi is a “link language, not the national language.”

India’s strength lies in its diversity, and imposing a national language would undermine this principle. Here’s why the absence of a national language works in India’s favor:

India’s linguistic history teaches us the importance of balance. While Hindi can serve as a bridge for communication within the Hindi-speaking belt, English and regional languages must continue to play their roles in fostering inclusivity.

The idea of a single national language may seem appealing for simplicity, but it risks alienating large sections of the population. Instead, India’s multilingual policy reflects its ethos of "unity in diversity."

As Ravichandran Ashwin aptly pointed out, Hindi is not the national language but one of India’s many official languages. This distinction is crucial in understanding India’s linguistic policy, which prioritizes inclusivity over uniformity.

In a country as diverse as India, the absence of a national language is not a weakness but a testament to its commitment to preserving its rich cultural and linguistic heritage. By embracing all languages, India sets an example for the world: that diversity is not a barrier but a bridge to unity.