Hindi is not just our mother tongue; it also serves as our national identity. Every year, on September 14, Hindi Diwas is celebrated worldwide. Special events are organized in schools, colleges, and educational institutions. However, despite the high number of Hindi speakers and its status as the mother tongue of the country, it couldn’t attain the designation of a national language. But what’s the significance of celebrating Hindi Day on September 14?
Why is Hindi Day Observed Specifically on September 14?
There are two distinct reasons for celebrating Hindi Diwas on September 14. On September 14, 1949, after extensive deliberation, Hindi in the Devanagari script was declared as the official language of the country. This date was thoughtfully chosen by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for celebrating Hindi Diwas because it also marks the birth anniversary of the renowned Hindi poet Rajendra Singh. The first-ever celebration of Hindi Diwas took place in 1953, based on the recommendation of the National Language Promotion Committee. The aim was to make this day special and enhance the significance of Hindi. Numerous scholars played pivotal roles in establishing Hindi as the official language.
Why Couldn’t Hindi Attain the Status of a National Language?
Mahatma Gandhi referred to the Hindi language as the dialect of the masses and aspired to designate it as the national language. During the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan held in 1918, he advocated for Hindi to be recognized as the national language. Following India’s independence in 1947, prolonged deliberations took place, leading to the decision on September 14, 1949, by the Constituent Assembly to declare Hindi as the official language. However, this decision didn’t sit well with many people from various South Indian states. Their contention was that making everyone speak Hindi would undermine the essence of independence. Consequently, due to widespread discontent, Hindi couldn’t secure the status of a national language, despite serving as the official language used by both the people and the government.
As per the constitution, India doesn’t have a designated national language; instead, Hindi and English are recognized as the official languages of the country. Article 343 of the Indian constitution stipulates that the official language of India shall be Hindi in the Devanagari script.
