Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions. Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity. Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language. Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.
I support Sangeeta's position that the policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
When the demand for the formation of States on the basis of language was raised, some national leaders feared that it would lead to the disintegration of the country. However, experience has shown that the formation of linguistic States has actually made the country more united and has also made administration easier.
Our Constitution did not give the status of national language to any one language. Hindi was identified as the official language, but it is the mother tongue of only about 40 per cent of Indians. Therefore, there were many safeguards to protect other languages. Besides Hindi, there are 22 other languages recognised as Scheduled Languages by the Constitution.
The flexibility shown by Indian political leaders helped our country avoid the kind of situation that Sri Lanka finds itself in. When non-Hindi speaking States demanded the continuation of English, the Central Government responded by agreeing to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes.
It has proved to be perfectly consistent to be Kannadiga and Indian, Bengali and Indian, Tamil and Indian, Gujarati and Indian. The formation of linguistic States has allowed India to escape what might have been a worse fate: 'One language: 14 or 15 nations.'
Explanation
The question asks students to support any one of the three positions with arguments and examples from the textbook. Sangeeta's position is best supported by the context, which explicitly states that linguistic States have strengthened national unity rather than undermining it. The textbook provides concrete examples like the recognition of 22 Scheduled Languages and the flexibility shown in continuing English for official purposes. The comparison with Sri Lanka is a key example of how accommodation prevented conflict.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Choose one position to support (Sangeeta's position is most strongly supported by the context)
Step 2: Provide the argument that linguistic States have made the country more united despite initial fears
Step 3: Give examples - Constitution not declaring any national language, 22 Scheduled Languages, flexibility with English continuation
Step 4: Conclude with the textbook's statement about being 'Kannadiga and Indian, Bengali and Indian, etc.' showing consistency of regional and national identity