A post on X (formerly Twitter) featuring two men wearing T-shirts reading “Hindi, National Language” during a Bengaluru trip has reignited the debate over linguistic identity in India. The image quickly went viral, angering many Kannadiga users who accused the duo of disrespecting regional languages.
Heated Reactions Online
Harsh, the post’s author, defended the statement, arguing, “Most of us know Hindi isn’t the national language, but South Indians act offended as if it is. This shows their hatred towards Hindi speakers.” However, his remarks only intensified the backlash, with users criticizing him for ignoring the Constitution’s recognition of India’s linguistic diversity.
Some users issued dire warnings, humorously suggesting the men might face trouble in Bengaluru for their actions. Comments like “Autowaale se joote khayegaa” (You’ll get hit by shoes from auto drivers) added to the mix of outrage and satire. Memes mocking the post soon began circulating, and the original photo was edited by protestors to say, “Hindi is not our national language.”
The Bigger Picture
Amid the heated debate, others sought to clarify facts. One user noted, “Hindi isn’t India’s national language. In reality, there’s no ‘language of India’ defined in the Constitution.” The post’s virality, with over 3 million views and thousands of likes, underscores the persistent sensitivity surrounding language politics in the country.
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