Mumbai: Emphasising the critical role of native languages in shaping national identity, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Monday that a child can truly understand India only through their mother tongue.
Speaking at the ‘Hindi Diwas 2026’ and the 6th All India Official Language Conference held in Navi Mumbai on September 14, Shah asserted that Hindi acts as a vital carrier of the nation’s linguistic unity and national consciousness.
A significant portion of his address was dedicated to the historical and cultural weight of ‘Vande Mataram’. Dispelling the notion that it is merely a song, Shah described it as sage Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s profound effort to awaken Indian consciousness during the dark era of colonial slavery.
“This song, written in Anandamath, soon became the proclamation of independence across India,” Shah noted. He added without hesitation that Chattopadhyay not only ignited the fierce desire for freedom but also laid the strong foundation for India’s cultural nationalism through the composition.
Touching upon a historical grievance, the Home Minister remarked that ‘Vande Mataram’ was fragmented and that it took the nation’s Parliament 80 years post-independence to accept it in its complete form. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for restoring the song to its full glory and integrating it into official government functions.
Reiterating the importance of vernacular languages, Shah praised the Modi government’s New Education Policy for making mother tongue instruction mandatory in primary education. “A child cannot grow into a complete individual without learning their mother tongue,” he argued, explaining that deep connections to one’s land, religion, traditions, and culture are forged through native languages.
Addressing those who attempt to spark linguistic disputes, Shah delivered a stern message: “If a child tries to understand India in a foreign language, they will make a mistake. Therefore, leaving aside all political differences, we must all focus on promoting Indian languages.”
To drive his point home, the Home Minister quoted Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, comparing Indian culture and literature to a blooming lotus. “Each petal represents our regional languages. If even one petal is destroyed, the beauty and grace of the lotus will perish,” Shah concluded, referencing PM Modi’s ‘Panch Pran’ pledge to liberate the country from a colonial mindset.