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Why "Let's say that Hindi is not mandatory of the language policy"? It's not some hypothetical situation but official document of Gov, one can not just assume anything when it's not even mentioned in any policy remotely.
Southern states and west bengal has concern but it's political and not cultural. In my understanding they just assume and scared that if this policy is implemented then everyone will automatically opt for hindi as their 3rd language because its a logical choice for keralite, tamilian etc to learn Hindi due to its reach instead of other Indian language.
It's funny that kannadigas screaming the most, considering Hindi imposition was congress's brainchild and they made it mandatory to learn Hindi as 2nd language and English as 3rd language. While BJP is saying, first learn your mother tongue, then English and after that any Indian language as 3rd option.
Yes, it's not mandated but we also need to look at the narrative being pushed by the political leaders and making it look like Hindi is the default option that creates hate because we don't really get educated about all the policies in details, but these speeches from political figures will act as reference point.
Southern states always resisted the Hindi when they feel it's kind of forced and they fear that losing their importance for their language is kind of threat to their identity because it's extremely varies from north to south while the political parties from south make use of this emotions and play their political game to keep them relevant.
I personally believe English and the Vernacular must be learnt first and keep Hindi as 3rd language. That is what most schools have been following since years.
Importance of English is that most people going abroad would need it to stay afloat. Reason for Hindi is to be able to interact with other states in the country.
Beyond this any other language is a bonus.
I do not encourage the stubborn attitude that some communities have of not trying to learn a language that is spoken in most of the country. It is a backward mindset.
I appreciate your perspective about opening more opportunities by connecting the states, but it's different when someone choose to learn Hindi and they are forced to do which is what matters here, that is what people resist.
To southern people, Hindi is more alien language than English because we hardly ever needed it but at the same time people who moved from South to other parts for jobs learned Hindi without any issues which is what my point is, if they have to then they will.
India isn't a country before few centuries, it is created by Englishmen with diverse group of people with different cultures followed by thousands of years which is why I said one state policy will not work when it comes to our country.