Despite the many positive initiatives being undertaken by the Modi government, calculated attempts are being made through some power centres close to the government to impose Sanskrit in the curriculum (“ >German row: parents move court ,” Nov.22). The argument of the Ministry of Human Resource Development that German is a foreign language and Sanskrit is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India may or may not be right. But the hurried decision towards the close of the academic year to replace German without considering the adverse academic and psychological impact it can have on over 70,000 students and their parents is unjustified. In a true democracy, students should have the freedom to choose the language(s) of their interest, and the government should facilitate that freedom.
R.K. Jacob,
Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu
Right-wing elements appear hell-bent on making the study of Sanskrit compulsory. The protagonists of the compulsory study of Sanskrit appear to be ostriches with their heads buried in the sands of the past. This is not to belittle the richness, glory and necessity of this proud language, but it should function as an optional subject. The language policy in educational institutions should envisage the compulsory study of the mother-tongue, Hindi, English and some other language. Facilities should also be provided for the study of foreign languages at the college level.
Samaga Dattatri,
Bengaluru
One detects a plan to to overturn the multicultural context of India into a “homogenic hegemony of Hinduvisation.” It is unfortunate that every successive government interpolates its ideology into the syllabi as per its whims and fancies. In my opinion, parents should not only have a say in the selection of the curriculum, but also decide which language or course their children should opt for in a globalised society. Let Sanskrit also be one among the ‘optional languages’. Any aggressive cultural-linguistic imposition will lead to ‘repulsion’ and not the ‘revival of a culture’.
History shows the gradual decadence of the once-dominant Sumerian, Hellenistic and Roman cultures. Even in the priestly training of the Latin Catholic Church, one is given a choice of learning Latin, Greek or Hebrew. Mr. Modi is supposed to have asked Japanese teachers to come and teach Japanese in India as part of an exchange of culture. How does he then reconcile this contradiction in his international rhetoric and domestic policy? The function of any language is primarily to communicate; very few are interested in research and scholarship. In the end, a culture flourishes not through the revival of a language, but a vivification of relationships.
Mathew Thankachen,
Kollam
We have heard some right-wing stalwarts crying themselves hoarse saying that Indians do not need to learn a foreign language. What can be more absurd than this? Learning any language is always an asset. In today’s world, where the younger generation is spreading its wings and looking for opportunities outside the country, learning any major foreign language like German, French, Chinese, Russian, or Japanese ? in addition to English stands candidates in good stead. In comparison, Sanskrit, even though it is rich and is a part of our cultural heritage, will not take us very far. It is a fact that in China, learning Hindi is being taken with all seriousness. The HRD Ministry must desist from kowtowing to the Hindutva agenda.?
V. Hariharan,
Chennai
There is nothing wrong in striking down German or any other foreign language which only benefits a handful of people belonging to the elite. English has already been given an extreme edge over native tongues in the name of being a medium of instruction. It is time the HRD Ministry wins the row over Sanskrit taking precedence over German. If there is no other go, let German or any foreign language be included as a third and optional language.
E.S. Chandrasekaran,
Chennai
