Linguistic diversity and national integration in India
- South Asian Journal of Socio-Political Studies
- 23(2), Jan-Jun, 2023: p.51-53
India is a mosaic of complex multilingual, multireligious and multicultural societies with largely no boundaries demarcating languages, castes or religions. Indian federalism based on strong, central power allowed for the ‘co-operative’ re-organisation of India’s subdivision in states along linguistic criteria beginning in 1956 which aimed to create more linguistic and cultural homogeneity. The major regional languages had a big importance in building and working of sub-federal units. This restrained secessionism and fostered ‘national’ feeling in India. The Constitution prescribes linguistic secularism for India. National identity in India is not tied up with one language or religion. But if linguistic diversity is to be preserved and protected as an overriding political aim language policy and legislation must promote cohesion and integration at central and state level.- Reproduced
Language, Identify, Linguistic diversity, Indian, l:ingufestc re-organisation, linguistic sates, Integration, Constitution.