“India’s National Language is Unity in Diversity”

KKN Gurugram Desk | A powerful and unifying message about India’s linguistic identity was delivered on an international platform when DMK MP Kanimozhi responded to a question about India’s national language during an address in Spain’s capital, Madrid. Her response – “India’s national language is unity in diversity” – was met with a resounding round of applause from the audience comprising foreign diplomats, media professionals, and members of the Indian diaspora.

Kanimozhi was leading a multi-party Indian parliamentary delegation visiting Europe as part of diplomatic engagements, including highlighting India’s position on Operation Sindoor and exposing Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism.

 The National Language Question: A Defining Moment

During a Q&A session in Madrid, a member of the audience asked Kanimozhi a seemingly straightforward question: “What is the national language of India?” Her answer, however, was anything but simplistic.

“India’s national language is unity in diversity,” she said with poise, pausing only to let her words resonate.

This concise yet profound statement immediately struck a chord with the audience, many of whom stood up to applaud the sentiment. In a room of international observers, the remark symbolized India’s pluralistic ethos.

 Context: The Linguistic Debate in India

Kanimozhi’s response comes at a time when debates around the status of Hindi as a national language have become more prominent, especially in South India, where regional political parties, including DMK, have vocally opposed the imposition of Hindi.

Key Points:

• India has no officially declared national language.

• The Indian Constitution recognizes 22 scheduled languages, including Hindi and Tamil.

• Hindi and English are designated as official languages for the purposes of communication at the Union level.

• The language issue is a sensitive topic, especially in Tamil Nadu, where the Dravidian movement has long resisted any move toward Hindi hegemony.

Kanimozhi, representing Tamil Nadu’s DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), delivered her statement in a manner that highlighted linguistic inclusivity without attacking any specific language.

 India’s Parliamentary Delegation in Europe: Purpose and Diplomacy

The Indian all-party delegation, including MPs from various political ideologies, is on an official international mission to:

• Represent India’s stance on global terrorism

• Discuss international cooperation under Operation Sindoor

• Strengthen diplomatic ties with partner nations

What is Operation Sindoor?

While official details remain classified, sources indicate Operation Sindoor is India’s strategic and humanitarian counterterrorism initiative, gaining international traction due to its focus on regional peace and global security.

The delegation’s first stop was Russia, where Kanimozhi and her colleagues reportedly called out Pakistan as a “factory of terrorism”, urging the global community to unite against terror.

 Diplomatic Impact of Kanimozhi’s Statement in Spain

At a time when the world is increasingly divided on issues of identity, language, and nationalism, Kanimozhi’s answer projected India as a culturally complex but unified democracy.

Immediate Reactions:

• Indian diaspora members praised the response for its sensitivity and diplomatic grace.

• Spanish media outlets highlighted the moment as a rare instance of political clarity from an international guest.

• Social media posts from attendees termed it “a masterclass in soft diplomacy.”

Her remarks subtly underscored that India cannot and should not be defined by a single language, given the presence of over 1,600 mother tongues and dozens of officially recognized languages.

 DMK’s Historical Stance on Language Politics

The Dravidian movement, from which the DMK stems, has historically resisted attempts to elevate Hindi as the national language at the cost of regional tongues like Tamil.

Notable Milestones:

• Anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu in the 1960s, which shaped the state’s political identity.

• DMK’s consistent parliamentary opposition to policies favoring Hindi dominance.

• Promotion of Tamil not just as a language, but as a cultural and civilizational identity.

Despite this legacy, Kanimozhi’s remarks steered clear of confrontation, and instead focused on the shared spirit of unity that binds India together linguistically.

 India’s Constitutional Framework on Language

According to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution:

• India recognizes 22 scheduled languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, and Urdu.

• Article 343 provides for the use of Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.

• English is allowed to continue for official purposes under Article 343(3).

However, no article declares any one language as the national language of India.

 Unity in Diversity: More Than Just a Slogan

India’s identity, unlike monolingual nations, is deeply rooted in multilingualism. From daily governance to education and media, language diversity is not only tolerated but institutionalized.

Language Facts:

• Over 19,500 languages or dialects are spoken across India.

• 22 official languages in government use.

• States in India are largely formed along linguistic lines (e.g., Maharashtra for Marathi speakers, West Bengal for Bengali speakers).

This makes the question of “national language” not only politically loaded but constitutionally complex.

 Call for Global Unity Against Terrorism

Apart from her linguistic remarks, Kanimozhi used the international platform to emphasize global cooperation against terrorism.

“The world must unite against terrorism. It is no longer a regional threat, but a global one.”

She reiterated India’s stance that countries like Pakistan must be held accountable for sponsoring and exporting terrorism, echoing similar sentiments made during the delegation’s Russia visit.

 India’s Soft Power and Global Messaging

Through moments like Kanimozhi’s remarks in Spain, India continues to strengthen its image as a pluralistic, democratic society that can harmonize diverse identities.

This reinforces:

• India’s soft power narrative

• Its positioning as a multilingual, multicultural federation

• The importance of regional pride without national fragmentation

Public Reaction Back Home

Back in India, Kanimozhi’s statement has sparked discussions across social media and news platforms:

• Supporters praised it as a graceful articulation of the Indian ethos.

• Critics viewed it as a diplomatic dodge, avoiding affirmation of Hindi as the national language.

• Linguists and constitutional experts largely agreed with her factual accuracy.

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At a time when language remains a divisive issue within India, DMK MP Kanimozhi’s diplomatic reply in Madrid offered a refreshing and unifying narrative. Her statement — “India’s national language is unity in diversity” — reflects the constitutional reality, the sociopolitical balance, and the cultural richness of a country as vast and varied as India.

Her speech was not just a moment of applause in a foreign hall, but a timely reminder to both Indians and the international community that unity in India comes not from uniformity, but from its proud, vocal, and vibrant diversity.