Amit Shah Sparks Language Debate: “Soon, Speaking Only English Will Be a Matter of Shame”

Home Minister’s remarks on linguistic identity trigger online backlash; ANI and The Hindu reportedly delete coverage amid pressure

19 June 2025, New Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stirred a nationwide discussion on India’s linguistic future with his recent statement suggesting that people who speak only English will “soon feel ashamed.” The remark was made during the launch of former IAS officer Ashutosh Agnihotri’s Hindi book Main Boond Swayam, Khud Sagar Hoon, where Shah championed the growing need to return to Indian languages in education, governance, and cultural expression.

Shah emphasized that India must shed its colonial mindset and instead take pride in its native tongues. “We must stop relying on English. A nation should think, dream, and decide in its own languages,” he said, aligning his vision with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Panch Pran’ goal of eliminating remnants of colonial influence.

Jay Shah was being trolled for not knowing english despite being ICC Chairman.

Modi was being trolled for speaking English in Bihar but not being able to speak it abroad.

Today, Amit Shah covered it by saying that those who speak English will feel ashamed one day 🤣 pic.twitter.com/FjIvTpqfVU

— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) June 19, 2025

The statement rapidly sparked widespread discussion on social media. Several users responded by sharing past clips of Prime Minister Modi and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah speaking in English, ironically suggesting that Shah’s remarks might apply to them as well. The hashtag #DontShameEnglish gained momentum, as netizens debated the relevance and tone of Shah’s message in a diverse, multilingual country.

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Controversy further deepened when reports surfaced that major media outlets ANI and The Hindu removed their coverage of the speech. Though neither organization has officially commented, speculation grew that Shah’s office had requested the deletions. Critics have raised concerns about editorial independence and the apparent attempt to manage public narrative.

Shah’s remarks align with the government’s broader objective of promoting Indian languages in official communication and higher education. Initiatives like Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag aim to institutionalize native languages within administrative frameworks. However, experts warn that while fostering linguistic pride is a positive step, it must be implemented with sensitivity to India’s vast linguistic diversity to ensure inclusivity and avoid marginalization.

As the debate unfolds, the incident has reignited larger questions around language, freedom of speech, and the role of media in a democracy. With calls for transparency and accountability growing louder, the conversation around national identity and linguistic heritage is far from over.

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