Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat delivered a powerful address on Sunday, expressing serious concerns about the rapid decline of Indian languages in contemporary society. Speaking at a book release event in Nagpur, the RSS leader highlighted that the situation has reached a critical point where many Indian citizens no longer possess knowledge of their own native languages.
The Alarming State of Indian Languages
Mohan Bhagwat revealed his distress about the diminishing role of mother tongues and traditional linguistic practices in Indian households. He pointed out that Sanskrit, which once served as the primary medium for daily communication, business transactions, and knowledge sharing across the country, now faces an ironic situation where foreign scholars often teach Indians about their own linguistic heritage.
"There was a period when all daily activities, communication, and business operations occurred in Sanskrit," Bhagwat recalled during his speech. "Today, we find ourselves in the peculiar position where American professors instruct us in Sanskrit, when ideally, we should be the ones teaching this ancient language to the world."
Root Causes and Family Responsibility
The RSS chief identified that while English-medium education contributes to the problem, the real issue lies closer to home. He emphasized that Indian families have developed a hesitation to use their native languages within household settings, often mixing mother tongues with English during daily conversations.
"Many children today struggle with basic vocabulary in their own languages and frequently communicate using a hybrid of their mother tongue and English," Bhagwat observed. He stressed that simple changes in family behavior could significantly improve the situation. "If we consistently speak our language properly within our homes, circumstances would noticeably improve. However, we are not implementing this fundamental practice."
Bhagwat also noted the concerning trend among religious leaders who increasingly choose English for communication, indicating a broader shift in linguistic preferences across different segments of society.
Cultural Depth and Untranslatable Concepts
Referring to the legacy of Sant Dnyaneshwar, Bhagwat highlighted how the saint deliberately chose Marathi to make the profound wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita accessible to common people. He argued that English often fails to capture the depth and essence of concepts inherent in Indian languages.
"The current challenge involves the limitation of the English language in expressing the comprehensive depth of thoughts and concepts embedded in our native tongues," Bhagwat explained. "A single word employed by Dnyaneshwar frequently requires multiple English words for translation, yet still fails to convey the complete intended meaning."
He provided the example of 'Kalpavruksha,' the mythical wish-fulfilling tree from Indian mythology, to illustrate his point. "How would one accurately translate Kalpavruksha into English?" he questioned, emphasizing that such unique concepts demonstrate why Indian languages require protection and strengthening.
Bhagwat concluded by discussing the broader philosophical framework of Indian traditions, which emphasize unity and collective welfare. He recalled how a spiritual leader once explained to foreign visitors that the central idea revolves around the existence of the divine, rather than debates about one God versus multiple deities.
The RSS leader emphasized that Indian philosophy consistently teaches individuals to transcend personal interests and consider the wellbeing of family and society, a message conveyed through various formats and expressions throughout history.
