The Language Debate: Uniting India's Diverse Dialects

Amidst India's ongoing language debate, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien highlighted the country's linguistic diversity, citing 22 constitutionally recognized languages and 19,500 dialects. He stressed that this diversity is a hallmark of India's unity, arguing that the central government fails to appreciate this facet of the nation.

In a video statement, O'Brien noted that 97% of the population speaks one of these 22 languages as their mother tongue. His remarks follow controversial reported statements by Home Minister Amit Shah, suggesting that English speakers in India might soon feel ashamed for not speaking Indian languages.

TMC's Sagarika Ghose defended the use of English, underscoring its global advantages and aspirational value. She emphasized that Indians should never feel ashamed of any language, including English, which continues to play a significant communicative role across the nation.

(With inputs from agencies.)