The Government of India: Equal Treatment of Official Languages

When considering the official languages of a government, it's important to understand their role in public and administrative settings. Official languages are used for internal documentation, financial transactions, and other office work. Given the linguistic diversity of India with 22 official languages, it becomes challenging to standardize office work across all languages. This article addresses the question of whether the Government of India (GoI) treats all 22 official languages equally, and explores the government's policies and practices in multilingual environments.

Challenges of Multilingual Office Work

Handling government office work in all 22 languages of India can be extremely time-consuming, energy-draining, and financially burdensome. To maintain efficiency and expedite work, the GoI primarily uses two standard languages: English and Hindi. This approach is not unique to India; even organizations like the European Union use multiple standard languages for efficiency and time-saving purposes.

Official Language Policies: Efficiency vs. Accessibility

In the context of multilingualism, the term "official language" refers to the language used by an organization for its office work. It's unrealistic for any government or organization to conduct office work in hundreds of languages. Hence, the GoI opts for English and Hindi for official government work to ensure efficiency and productivity.

However, when dealing with the public, the GoI provides services using state languages, Hindi, and English. This policy ensures that a diverse population can access information and services in their preferred language. For instance, announcements in railway stations are made in local languages, Hindi, and English to cater to non-local audiences.

Government Policies and Public Interactions

The Indian Government's language policy in public interactions involves using the state language, Hindi, and English. All departments working with the public follow this three-language policy. For example, an SBI application form in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, is available in Telugu, Hindi, and English. Similarly, government schemes and applications are provided in the local state language, Hindi, and English to ensure wider accessibility.

Addressing Accusations of Language Bias

Accusations about the GoI not giving priority to non-Hindi languages are often unfounded. While the GoI uses English and Hindi for official work, it still ensures that interactions with the public are facilitated in the state language, Hindi, and English. Miscommunication or lack of available forms in a particular language can usually be attributed to errant administrative practices rather than an overarching bias against non-Hindi languages.

Typically, the Government of India directs institutions to follow a three-language policy in every state to cater to the diverse linguistic needs of the population. If a form or scheme is not available in a specific local language, it is often due to the negligence of staff or branches rather than a systemic issue with the government.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Government of India primarily uses English and Hindi for their office work to maintain efficiency, they ensure that public interactions and government services are available in the state language, Hindi, and English. This policy reflects a balanced approach towards multilingualism, ensuring that all citizens can access government services and information in their preferred language.