The New Education Policy (NEP) has sparked fresh debate in India over the three-language formula and concerns about Hindi imposition. At the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2025, a special session titled The Language War: The Art of Identity Assertion brought together Professors Ajay Gudavarthy and Narendra Jadhav to discuss how language policies intersect with politics, culture, and social identity. Their discussion reflected how education reforms are not just about classrooms but also about power, equality, and cultural pride.
I chose to write about this because the language question in India has always been more than just about communication—it is deeply tied to identity and inclusivity. In a multilingual country like ours, the balance between promoting a common language and preserving regional languages is delicate. Parents, students, and educators must understand how these debates will shape the way future generations learn and think. By unpacking both sides of the argument, we can better grasp why the three-language formula has become one of the most contested aspects of the NEP and why regional sensitivities need to be respected.
What the Three-Language Formula Means
The three-language policy introduced under NEP suggests that students should learn:
- Their mother tongue/regional language
- Hindi
- English or another modern Indian/foreign language
The intention is to build multilingual competency, but critics argue that it risks privileging Hindi at the expense of other languages.
Concerns of Hindi Imposition
- In southern and northeastern states, many see the policy as an attempt to push Hindi on non-Hindi speakers.
- Language, as pointed out in the session, is not neutral—it carries cultural and political weight.
- Resistance to Hindi is not resistance to learning another language but to the perceived cultural dominance it may create.
What Experts Said at the Conclave
- Ajay Gudavarthy argued that language is tied to caste and class privilege, and Hindi imposition can widen social divides.
- Narendra Jadhav stressed that multilingualism is India’s strength, and policies must empower regional languages while allowing choice.
- Both experts agreed that language teaching should be student-centric, not politically motivated.
Striking the Right Balance
The real challenge lies in:
- Encouraging linguistic diversity without alienating any region.
- Making mother tongue education meaningful while also preparing students for global opportunities.
- Ensuring that language policy is about empowerment, not control.
