Indian Government Websites and Hindi

by Kayalvizhi Sun Feb 03, 2013 1:19 am

Indian Government Websites and Hindi

We recently visited (March 2012) over a dozen Indian Government websites (by different ministries and departments) to check their language policy. We found that all those sites are in English and Hindi only. Some of you may ask, "What is the big deal?" The big deal is that while Hindi speakers can find information about what their government is doing in their mother tongue, non-Hindians have to rely on one of two foreign languages--Hindi or English? If a farmer in, say, non-Hindi Karnataka State, want to find some information on crops, he/she has to know either Hindi or English or get someone who knows Hindi or English for help. Indian government's position that it is not just in Hindi, it is also in English is ridiculous. English is not the native language of Karnataka, neither is Hindi. Translate all information into all languages listed in the Indian constitution and post them on websites so all citizens can benefit equally. Why that privilege for Hindi speakers only? Are they citizens of a higher grade? Are they paying a higher tax rate for that privilege? Everyone pay taxes at the same rate set by the government--there is no difference there. Why, then, there is a difference, a special privilege for Hindi people?

Some people may say, "It is so trivial. Why nitpick on these silly things?" It shows the attitude and mentality of the Hindi politicians who set the language policy because of their large numbers (although not a majority) in the Indian parliament. What they do in small things, they also do in big things. Things like non-Hindi Indian government employees forced to pass Hindi examinations and forced to write letters in Hindi.

More such information at
http://www.tamiltribune.com/12/1001.html

1. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) - A Tool for Hindi Imposition

2. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) - A Tool for Hindi Imposition

3. Indian Government Websites and Hindi

by goodcitizn Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:37 am

Kayalvizhi wrote:Indian Government Websites and Hindi

We recently visited (March 2012) over a dozen Indian Government websites (by different ministries and departments) to check their language policy. We found that all those sites are in English and Hindi only. Some of you may ask, "What is the big deal?" The big deal is that while Hindi speakers can find information about what their government is doing in their mother tongue, non-Hindians have to rely on one of two foreign languages--Hindi or English? If a farmer in, say, non-Hindi Karnataka State, want to find some information on crops, he/she has to know either Hindi or English or get someone who knows Hindi or English for help. Indian government's position that it is not just in Hindi, it is also in English is ridiculous. English is not the native language of Karnataka, neither is Hindi. Translate all information into all languages listed in the Indian constitution and post them on websites so all citizens can benefit equally. Why that privilege for Hindi speakers only? Are they citizens of a higher grade? Are they paying a higher tax rate for that privilege? Everyone pay taxes at the same rate set by the government--there is no difference there. Why, then, there is a difference, a special privilege for Hindi people?

Some people may say, "It is so trivial. Why nitpick on these silly things?" It shows the attitude and mentality of the Hindi politicians who set the language policy because of their large numbers (although not a majority) in the Indian parliament. What they do in small things, they also do in big things. Things like non-Hindi Indian government employees forced to pass Hindi examinations and forced to write letters in Hindi.

More such information at
http://www.tamiltribune.com/12/1001.html

1. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) - A Tool for Hindi Imposition

2. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) - A Tool for Hindi Imposition

3. Indian Government Websites and Hindi

I have always been in favor of the repeal of Part XVII of the constitution (particularly the directive for development of the Hindi language). It is completely undemocratic to force Hindi down the throat of non-Hindi speakers.

Even before the Indian Constitution was framed, the anti-Hindi block opposed Hindi being made the national language and took exception to this comment made by Dhulekar (member of the Constituent Assembly) in December 1946:

"People who do not know Hindustani have no right to stay in India. People who are present in the House to fashion a constitution for India and do not know Hindustani are not worthy to be members of this assembly. They had better leave."

This statement made by T.T.Krishnamachari of the anti-Hindi block back then holds true even today:

"This kind of intolerance makes us fear that the strong Centre which we need, a strong Centre which is necessary, will also mean the enslavement of people who do not speak the language at the centre. I would, Sir, convey a warning on behalf of people of the South for the reason that there are already elements in South India who want separation..., and my honourable friends in U.P. do not help us in any way by flogging their idea of "Hindi Imperialism" to the maximum extent possible. So, it is up to my friends in Uttar Pradesh to have a whole India; it is up to them to have a Hindi-India. The choice is theirs."

The Central Government continues to hold non-Hindi speakers hostage with its undemocratic policy prejudicially favoring Hindi-speakers in securing central government jobs. While those who are native speakers of Hindi do not need to learn any other language including English, it is not a level playing field for those who speak another Indian language (who also don't know English) even if the job is in their own backyard. There is no such bias when it comes to paying taxes.

This whole argument of a link language is merely an excuse for northern indians to get jobs in south india without having to learn its local language; and the central government is a convenient ally in making sure the southern indians speak their tongue.

Indian Government Websites and Hindi

Indian Government Websites and Hindi

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