A plea for Hindi

The Constituent Assembly’s first major clash over language came within its earliest sessions. R. V. Dhulekar, a Congressman from the United Provinces, demanded aggressively that Hindi be used as the language of constitution-making. When other members pointed out that not everyone in the Assembly understood Hindi, Dhulekar retorted that anyone present to frame a constitution for India who did not know Hindustani was “not worthy to be a member” and should “better leave.” The House broke into commotion. Jawaharlal Nehru had to intervene to restore order, but the language dispute did not end there — it continued to disrupt proceedings and agitate members for the next three years.

Almost three years later, on 13 September 1949, Dhulekar’s speech on the language of the nation once again sparked a huge storm. By this time, the Language Committee of the Constituent Assembly had produced its report and had worked out a compromise formula to resolve the deadlock between those who wanted Hindi as the national language and those who opposed it. The Committee had decided — though not yet formally declared — that Hindi in the Devanagari script would be the official language, but the transition to Hindi would be gradual. For the first fifteen years, English would continue to be used for all official purposes. Each province was to be allowed to choose one of the regional languages for official work within the province.

By calling Hindi the official language rather than the national language, the Language Committee hoped to calm ruffled emotions and arrive at a solution acceptable to all. Dhulekar, however, rejected this spirit of reconciliation. He wanted Hindi declared not merely an official language but the national language. He attacked those who protested that Hindi was being forced on the nation, and mocked those who cited Mahatma Gandhi’s view that Hindustani — not Hindi — ought to be the national language. Dhulekar declared: “Sir, nobody can be more happy than myself that Hindi has become the official language of the country … Some say that it is a concession to Hindi language. I say ‘no’. It is a consummation of a historic process.”

What particularly perturbed many members was the tone in which Dhulekar argued his case. Several times during his speech, the President of the Assembly interrupted him and said: “I do not think you are advancing your case by speaking like this.” But Dhulekar continued nonetheless. …