Will build a society where speaking English causes shame: Amit Shah

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the time is not far away when people speaking in English in India will "feel ashamed." He made these remarks on Thursday while launching the book "Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon" by IAS officer Ashutosh Agnihotri.

At the event, Shah stated, "In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed -- the creation of such a society is not far away. Only those who are determined can bring about change." He emphasised the need to uphold India's linguistic heritage, adding that India "cannot be imagined" with foreign languages, as one cannot understand one's history, culture, and religion in an alien language.

Shah acknowledged the difficulties in reclaiming the prominence of Indian languages but expressed faith in Indian society to overcome these challenges. He said, "With pride in our languages, we will run our country, ideate, research, make decisions and lead the world too. There is no need for anyone to doubt this...Our languages will greatly contribute to us being at the top of the world in 2047."

He further stated that literature has kept the lamps of religion, freedom, and culture lit during periods of darkness in the country. Shah said that changes in government did not affect society as much as attempts to touch its religion, culture, and literature, which were resisted.

Shah called for a "radical change" in the training of administrative officers, noting that rarely are they trained to introduce empathy into the system. He attributed this to British-era training models and stated that administrators cannot achieve the real objective of governance without empathy.

He concluded by saying, "When change becomes a mass movement, it becomes a revolution. Today, we can see this change in our country...I believe that by 2047, our journey of change will bring back our country's glory"