Chapter 12 The Language of the Nation| Class 12 History Notes

Class 12 History Notes Chapter 12: CBSE Class 12 History Notes are essential for students studying Social Science, as History is a crucial sub-subject that requires properly written answers. Scoring well in History is just as important as other subjects. This chapter is about the discussions and debates about choosing India’s national language during the making of the constitution.

These notes are helpful for students preparing for their board exams as they provide a clear understanding of the language debates during India’s constitution-making process.

The Language of the Nation

By the 1930s, the Congress had accepted Hindustani as the national language. Mahatma Gandhi advocated for plain English as a means of communication. Hindustani, a blend of various cultural influences, was widely spoken across India.

Over time, Hindustani has evolved and become comprehensible to people from diverse backgrounds. Gandhi saw it as a language that could unite Hindus, Muslims, and people from different regions.

However, as communal tensions escalated, Hindi and Urdu began to diverge. Hindi leaned towards Sanskritization, while Urdu adopted more Persian elements. This linguistic shift became intertwined with religious identity politics. Nevertheless, Gandhi remained steadfast in his belief in Hindustani’s inclusive nature.

A Plea for Hindi

In one of the early sessions of the Constituent Assembly, R. V. Dhulekar, a Congressman from the United Provinces, strongly advocated for Hindi to be the language used in constitution-making. When informed that not all members understood Hindi, Dhulekar boldly stated that those who couldn’t understand Hindustani were unfit to be Assembly members and should leave. This assertion caused chaos in the Assembly, but Dhulekar persisted with his speech in Hindi. Eventually, peace was restored through Jawaharlal Nehru’s intervention, but the language issue continued to disrupt proceedings for the next three years.

Nearly three years later, on September 12, 1947, Dhulekar’s speech reignited the language debate. By this time, the Constituent Assembly’s Language Committee had proposed a compromise: Hindi in the Devanagari script would become the official language gradually over fifteen years, while English would remain the official language in the interim.

Each province could choose a regional language for official use within its borders. However, Dhulekar rejected this compromise, insisting that Hindi should be declared the National Language, not just an Official Language. He criticized those who opposed Hindi and mocked those who advocated for Hindustani over Hindi as the national language, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s name. Despite interruptions from the Assembly’s President, Dhulekar continued to press his case with fervor.

The Fear of Domination

Shrimati G. Durgabai from Madras raised concerns about the ongoing discussion the day after Dhulekar’s speech. She noted that the issue of a national language for India had become highly contentious, particularly for non-Hindi speakers. There was a belief among them that opposing Hindi was essential to protect the influence of other powerful Indian languages on the nation’s composite culture. Durgabai highlighted the fierce opposition to Hindi in the south, as it was seen as a threat to provincial languages. Despite this opposition, she, like many others, had heeded Mahatma Gandhi’s call and promoted Hindi in the south. They had established schools and actively taught Hindi to overcome resistance.

Similarly, T. A. Ramalingam Chettiar of Madras stressed the need for caution in promoting Hindi. He warned that pushing Hindi too aggressively could backfire and undermine its cause.

Chapter 12 The Language of the Nation- FAQs

Why was the issue of language highly contentious during the constitution-making process?

The issue of language was contentious because it involved determining the national language for India. Different linguistic communities had their preferences, leading to debates and disagreements.

What was the stance of Mahatma Gandhi regarding the national language?

Mahatma Gandhi believed in the importance of a language that could be easily understood by the common people. He advocated for Hindustani, a blend of Hindi and Urdu, as he believed it could unify diverse communities.

What compromise solution was proposed by the Language Committee of the Constituent Assembly?

The Language Committee proposed that Hindi in the Devanagari script would be the official language of India. However, the transition to Hindi would be gradual, with English remaining the official language for the first fifteen years.

How did opposition to Hindi manifest in the southern regions of India?

Many non-Hindi speakers in the southern regions perceived the promotion of Hindi as a threat to their regional languages and cultural identity. They believed that Hindi propaganda undermined the diversity of languages in the country.