Don't blindly oppose Hindi: Venkaiah Naidu urges students to learn brother language

Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said Hindi should not be imposed, but cautioned against blind opposition to the language. He urged students to master their mother tongue while also learning Hindi and English for wider opportunities.

Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said Hindi should not be imposed on anyone, but cautioned against “blind opposition” to the language, urging students to learn multiple languages for better opportunities in life.

Addressing students, Naidu said, “Don't have the blind intention to oppose Hindi, but at the same time, I am sure that Hindi should not be imposed, and I will never accept imposition.”

He underlined the importance of balancing linguistic pride with practical needs. “But if you want to achieve national prominence or pursue your future in different parts of the country, then it is necessary to learn Hindi,” he said.

Naidu also spoke about the role of English, calling it a global link language. “Similarly, although English is a foreign language, it is an international connecting language, so students should also learn it,” he added.

Emphasising the primacy of the mother tongue, the former Vice President advised students to take pride in their native languages. “Learn your mother tongue, master it. But also learning Hindi and English will help in the future,” he said.

He encouraged students to speak in their mother tongue at home and in their communities. “First, speak in your mother tongue and then learn other languages. Take pride in speaking in your mother tongue at home with your grandparents, neighbours and in places of worship. That is the way to preserve the language,” he said.