With the new National Education Policy (NEP) promoting education in Indian languages, those who try to politicise language will now have to shut their shops, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (29 July).

Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the ‘Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam’ at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, PM Modi informed that new books of about 130 various subjects are coming up for classes 3 to 12 in 22 different languages as a result of education being imparted in regional languages. 

During the event, PM Modi also released education and skill curriculum books translated into 12 Indian languages.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the biggest injustice to any student is judging them based on their language instead of their capabilities.

“Education in the mother tongue is initiating a new form of justice for the students in India. It is also a very significant step towards social justice”, the Prime Minister remarked.

Noting the multitude of languages in the world and their importance, the Prime Minister underlined that many developed nations of the world have got the edge owing to their local language.

Giving the example of Europe, the Prime Minister said that most countries make use of their own native languages.

He lamented that even though India has an array of established languages, they were presented as a sign of backwardness, and those who could not speak English were neglected and their talents were not recognised.

As a result, the Prime Minister said, the children of the rural areas remained most affected.

He emphasised that the country has now begun to shun this belief with the advent of the National Educational Policy, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

“Even at the UN, I speak in Indian language,” PM Modi added. 

The Prime Minister underlined that subjects ranging from social science to engineering will now be taught in Indian languages.

“When the students are confident in a language, their skills and talent will emerge without any restrictions,” PM Modi said.

He also pointed out that those who try to politicize language for their own selfish interests will now have to shut their shops, the PMO said.

“National Educational Policy will give due respect and credit to every language in the country”, he added.