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Hindi and the three-language formula

Amit Shah says opponents of learning another Indian language 'do not know what sin they are committing'

14 Sept 2026 · 4 outlets · 1 min read

AI illustration
In 30 seconds
  1. Shah said political differences should be set aside to promote Indian languages.
  2. He said 'A child can understand India only through the mother tongue.'
  3. His official Hindi Diwas message said: learn many languages, 'but never abandon your own language.'

Speaking at the 6th All India Rajbhasha Sammelan in Mumbai on Hindi Diwas, 14 September 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said those opposing the National Education Policy provision to learn one more Indian language besides the mother tongue 'do not know what sin they are committing'. He said Hindi connects with, rather than competes with, other Indian languages. Hindi Diwas marks the Constituent Assembly's adoption of Hindi as an official language on 14 September 1949.

Checked

Claim by claim

✓Verified

The Constituent Assembly adopted Hindi as an official language on 14 September 1949.

Stated in the Home Minister's official Hindi Diwas 2026 message published by PIB.

Press Information Bureau
✓Verified

Shah made the 'sin' remark at the Rajbhasha Sammelan in Mumbai on 14 September 2026.

Reported by The Hindu, ThePrint (PTI) and The New Indian Express.

The Hindu · ThePrint · The New Indian Express
In their own words

What each side says

Union government

Shah argues that learning another Indian language deepens a child's understanding of India and that Hindi is 'not a competitor to any language' but a link between them.

The Hindu · Press Information Bureau
Tamil Nadu government (stated position)

No direct response to Shah's remark appears in the sources reviewed. Three days later in the Supreme Court, the state argued that choosing which languages to learn is a fundamental right and that it follows a two-language policy.

The Hindu
Honest gaps

Not yet known

  • ?Whether Tamil Nadu's government or the DMK responded publicly to the 'sin' remark.
Who reported this

Sources

Left-leaning · 1Centre · 2Official record · 1

4 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.

  1. The HinduAmit Shah stresses cultural nationalism, promotion of Indian languages at Rajbhasha event
  2. ThePrintAt Rajbhasha event, Amit Shah emphasises cultural nationalism, promotion of Indian languages
  3. The New Indian ExpressSet aside political differences to promote Indian languages, says Amit Shah
  4. Press Information BureauMessage of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah on Hindi Diwas 2026
  5. The HinduNavodaya schools case: Supreme Court asks Tamil Nadu to drop anti-Hindi ‘mindset’; State says language is a fundamental right

Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.

Amit Shah says opponents of learning another Indian language 'do not know what sin they are committing' | Spasht