Linguistic Inequality in India

This chapter delves into the issue of linguistic inequality in India, exploring Indian language policies through the lens of historical and political factors. It specifically examines the challenges surrounding the establishment of Hindi as a national language and the privileged position of English. Equality should not be interpreted as a call to establish Hindi or any other Indian language as the national language. Despite the country’s linguistic diversity being greatly appreciated as a multilingual nation, adopting a single national language would not achieve true “linguistic equality,” but an effort to unite India into a single linguistic fabric Additionally, reducing the dominance of English as a colonial legacy is necessary to foster a more equitable linguistic environment. India’s colonial past has contributed significantly to the marginalization of regional languages, favoring English as the dominant language of administration, education, and social mobility. The study aims to uncover the reasons behind Hindi’s failure to gain prominence as the national language, while also investigating the historical, political, and educational forces that have contributed to the dominance of English as an official language. Through a critical analysis, this chapter sheds light on the disparities within Indian language policies, emphasizing the intricate complexities and ramifications of linguistic inequality within the country’s sociopolitical landscape.