Don't blindly oppose Hindi: Venkaiah Naidu advises students on national prominence

Chennai,UPDATED: Feb 12, 2026 16:53 IST

Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said Hindi should not be imposed on anyone, but cautioned against “blind opposition” to the language, urging students to learn multiple languages for better opportunities in life.

Addressing students, Naidu said, “Don't have the blind intention to oppose Hindi, but at the same time, I am sure that Hindi should not be imposed, and I will never accept imposition.”

He underlined the importance of balancing linguistic pride with practical needs. “But if you want to achieve national prominence or pursue your future in different parts of the country, then it is necessary to learn Hindi,” he said.

Naidu also spoke about the role of English, calling it a global link language. “Similarly, although English is a foreign language, it is an international connecting language, so students should also learn it,” he added.

Emphasising the primacy of the mother tongue, the former Vice President advised students to take pride in their native languages. “Learn your mother tongue, master it. But also learning Hindi and English will help in the future,” he said.

He encouraged students to speak in their mother tongue at home and in their communities. “First, speak in your mother tongue and then learn other languages. Take pride in speaking in your mother tongue at home with your grandparents, neighbours and in places of worship. That is the way to preserve the language,” he said.

“You may be surprised, sir, coming to engineering college, coming to degree colleges or post-graduates and suggesting about mother tongue. Yes, one must feel proud to speak in mother tongue. First mother tongue, afterwards brother tongue, later any other tongue. This is my advice to all of you. Learn as many languages as possible,” Naidu said.

Listing several Indian languages, he added, “Tamil, the great, beautiful language. One must feel proud at home, with your parents, with your grandparents, with your neighbours. In the temple or a place of worship, wherever you go, speak to them in your mother tongue. That is one way of respecting and protecting the mother tongue. Second, try to learn as many languages as possible. I am not against English. Learn English also. Before learning English, learn other languages, Indian languages. Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Assamese, Punjabi, Santhal, we have beautiful languages. We have beautiful languages in the country. We also have Hindi.”

He reiterated his stand against both imposition and opposition. “Don't be under the blind impression that we should oppose Hindi. I agree that Hindi should not be imposed. I always say, no imposition. Children sometimes, they clap. Then I say, no imposition. Second, no opposition. That is my proposition. That should be your position also,” he said.

Sharing a personal anecdote, Naidu said he realised the importance of Hindi after moving to Delhi. “I come from Nellore, your neighbouring district. Initially, I did not learn Hindi. Later, when I went to Delhi, I realised the importance of Hindi. Because if you want to become a national level leader, if you want to work in other states, if you want to pursue your future career in different parts of the country, you must learn Hindi also,” he said.

He concluded by advising students to broaden their knowledge and respect foundational values. “And then, try to improve your general knowledge about the men and matters. That's my second advice. First is respect mother, motherland, teacher, the institution,” Naidu said.

- Ends