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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.
Who am I and you to assume or decide anything? Proposed documents say no mandatory and forced language but 3rd language should be indian. IMO Debate and fear mongering should end there. Debate should be on implementation and let the people allow to choose whatever they want, if they want to learn urdu, punjabi, sanskrit, telugu, hindi etc as 3rd language.
And who is doing all the propaganda of Hindi being default language? Clearly not BJP. Dominating narrative is that centre government is shoving hindi down everyone's throat but situation is completely opposite.
DMK is just scared on language issue and doing old tested dravidian politics, which I don't mind as long as it remains a regional ideology and not jeopardize national interest.