'Hindi Complements Indian Languages, Does Not Compete With Them': Deputy CM Eknath Shinde At Hindi Diwas Event In Navi Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 14: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday said Hindi is not a competitor to any Indian language but a companion that connects the country's diverse linguistic traditions, saying the promotion of the official language should go hand in hand with the preservation of regional languages. Addressing the gathering at the Hindi Diwas 2026 celebrations and the 6th All…
Mumbai, September 14: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized during the Hindi Diwas 2026 celebrations in Navi Mumbai that Hindi is not a competitor but a companion to India's diverse linguistic traditions. Speaking at the event alongside Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde stressed the importance of promoting Hindi alongside preserving regional languages.
He highlighted the historical and cultural ties between Marathi and Hindi through the Devanagari script. Citing saints like Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, and Namdev, Shinde noted their impact on Maharashtra's spiritual traditions and broader cultural unity across India. He underscored that Indian languages have engaged in a dialogue for centuries, with examples such as Saint Namdev's influence on the Guru Granth Sahib.
Shinde clarified that the expansion of Hindi is meant to complement all Indian languages, not replace them. He affirmed that Maharashtra respects all languages and cultures, expressing pride in Marathi receiving Classical Language status while extending respect to Hindi. He called for increased use of regional languages in official administration, praising the push for Hindi in government operations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
Shinde advocated for Hindi to extend beyond daily conversation into areas such as science, technology, judiciary, police, and general administration, aiming for seamless citizen-government communication. He also commended the abrogation of Article 370, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for strengthening national integrity.
Shinde highlighted Mumbai as the financial capital of the country and Maharashtra as India's economic engine, confident that the state's contributions will be vital for the vision of a Developed India by 2047. Acknowledging the social fabric, he recognized the significant contributions of Hindi-speaking citizens to Maharashtra's industry, trade, and social development, urging them to continue their efforts toward national progress.
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