Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Ministers R Bindu and V Sivankutty on Friday condemned Union Minister Amit Shah’s reported remarks against the English language, calling them reflective of a "restrictive and narrow-minded" political mindset.
State Higher Education Minister R Bindu said that English remains the most widely used language for global communication and dominates interactions on the internet.
"The view that children should not learn English or that it will be embarrassing would only lead to their world becoming more restrictive.
"Moreover, India is not an isolated island in the world. So, learning English is becoming a necessity," she said, answering reporters' queries regarding Shah's remarks.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had reportedly said that soon those speaking English in India would feel ashamed.
Speaking along similar lines as Bindu, State General Education Minister V Sivankutty termed Shah's remarks as "condemnable" and said that "no language was higher or lower than another".
"Each language has its own importance. English, as an international language, is an important means of knowledge and communication. It can only help in the progress of the country," he said in a statement.
Sivankutty on Friday reaffirmed the state government's commitment to promoting all languages and ensuring that students retain the freedom to choose their preferred medium of study. “Linguistic diversity is the strength of our country, and it needs to be protected,” he said.
Bindu, while speaking to reporters, said that while promoting mother tongues is important, Hindi cannot be seen as the singular mother tongue of India, as the country is home to a wide variety of languages.
"There are 22 official languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. This diversity of languages in India is a treasure trove," she said, and added that all of it cannot be reduced to one language.
Bindu further criticised Shah’s reported remarks, saying they reflect a dual intent: discouraging the younger generation from learning English, and advancing Hindi imposition.
“Both point to a restrictive and narrow-minded political outlook,” she added.
(inputs from PTI)