> If you love Hindi, use it, but don't try to shove it under our ass.

FYI I don't speak Hindi. The only languages I speak are English and Malayalam. I've lived outside India most of my life (was born in the UAE), so Hindi is something I never got a chance to learn.

But I do think India would benefit if her people spoke one common language rather than the dozen or so they do today. I just think Standard/New Hindi would be an ideal single language for the nation (just as Gandhi did), esp. since 400+ million people already speak it.

You don't have an iota of understanding about the language dynamics that led to the creation of India as it is today. Also language is culture, culture is identity. So people use their native languages with pride in India. Also Hindi is not the language educated people communicate in India - It is English. In fact the BIMARU states which use Hindi are the least developed among Indian regions with lowest literacy. South India in general developed primarily as we adopted English as our 2nd language long back which opened us to opportunities around the world and also cared to nurture our mother tongues. It is proven beyond doubt that mother tongue education is vital to the intellectual and social development of a child. Languages are a biological part of you and not a device that may be discarded at will (learn a bit about modern linguistics). The idea of single language for India has been rejected by its parliament and people (by the way, it is nothing but fasicsm - as an adjunct I can argue that the whole humanity must adopt a single language - does it make any sense??). English is the communication link of India, and that is the best outcome. So if BIMARU states give some importance to English, they also have a chance to develop.

Angry much?

You must realize having a thousand non-compatible incoherent languages isn't practical in modern, technological, Internet-driven society.

In fact, they should all be sidelined and replaced by English. Problem solved. There are already more people speaking English in India than there are Americans.

Isn't it then a paradox that the most developed regions in India speak a language other than Hindi?? Loss of a language is loss of culture; every time a language dies humanity loses an important part of its knowledge base - there is no one language in the world where all knowledge, wisdom and collective experiences are present - It is part of the fundamental rights of a person to preserve, nurture and cherish one's mother tongue. If you don't know - what you just stated is plain fascism.

Nothing anyone has said in this nested comment thread is fascism. Did you choose that word to convey your anger?

The notion of forcefully bringing about a change in popular culture is fascism at best. If you did not understand the politics behind this discussion, then you are either too naive or belong to the camp I mentioned.

Pushing for change is not the same as forcing something. Sometimes the spirit and essence of it can be close to the same. However there have only been initial and hand wavey vague discussions here. None of it being fascism [at best], literally or in spirit.

The second half of your comment makes things weird/passive aggressive and personal. Not to mention the attempt at condescension. I in no way gave or am giving my personal point of view here.

Fascism is the notion - once it is in the mind, it can get into action - it is important that people understand the level of toxicity of the thought. Humanity is enriched by its languages and diversity. By the way, every notion (other than a proven fact) has personal and political dimensions.

That seems almost as easy as achieving 100% literacy.

BTW: India isn't a modern, Internet-driven society yet. We are still getting people to be able to read and write.

Esperanto. I vote for Esperanto. Burn your Shakespeares and your Homers and come learn STEM in the One True Language.

What is your native language?