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'Hindi should be language of science, technology, justice and police': Amit Shah

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 10:10 GMT by moneycontrol.com
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Amit Shah Urges Hindi to Become the “Universal Language” of Science, Technology, Justice and Police

In a speech that drew sharp attention from media houses across India, Home Minister Amit Shah declared that Hindi should be the lingua‑franca of the country’s most vital public services. Speaking at the launch of a new “Police Innovation Hub” in Lucknow, the minister said the language should not merely be a “symbolic” choice, but a practical tool that would bridge the gap between the state and its citizens.

“Hindi is the language of the people. It should therefore be the language of science, technology, justice and police,” Shah said, adding that “the use of English and other regional languages has left large swathes of the population behind.”

The statement came as part of the BJP’s broader push to promote a “national language” that would reinforce India’s cultural identity while ensuring that government services are accessible to all. It follows a 2022 government directive that urged state governments to adopt Hindi in official proceedings where possible, a directive that has seen mixed reception across the linguistically diverse country.

Why Hindi, and why now?

Shah’s remarks are framed around three core arguments:

1. Accessibility in Law Enforcement
   “The police must speak the language of the people,” the minister emphasised. He pointed to statistics that show the “English‑only” approach in many police stations often creates a communication bottleneck, especially for victims who are ill‑iterate in English or have limited proficiency in any other language. By standardising Hindi, Shah argues, police can build trust and improve crime reporting.

2. Science and Technology in Everyday Life
   In a digital age where scientific knowledge is increasingly distributed via online platforms, Shah claims that most citizens consume information in Hindi. He said that “a science curriculum in Hindi, or at least in a language that reaches 60% of the population, will empower people to participate in the country’s tech economy.” He added that the “Hindi‑based tech ecosystem” is already thriving in cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, where local startups are developing Hindi‑enabled AI assistants, translation tools and e‑learning modules.

3. Judicial Clarity and Justice
   The minister also tackled the judiciary, noting that “court hearings in English and other regional languages add confusion to the legal process.” He announced a plan to translate all Supreme Court judgments and key legal statutes into Hindi. He claimed that such translation would help citizens understand their rights and the consequences of legal decisions without a barrier of language.

The proposal also reflects the BJP’s ideological stance that a common language can foster national unity. “Hindi is the backbone of our national culture,” Shah said, adding that “our language is the language of the soul, and that should also be the language of the law.”

Reactions and Criticisms

While the Home Minister’s speech was met with applause from BJP supporters and many linguists who see Hindi as an inclusive medium, it also drew criticism from minority‑language advocates.

The Samajwadi Party spokesperson for the Uttar Pradesh state, for example, warned that “imposing Hindi could marginalise non‑Hindi speaking communities.” He added that “India’s linguistic diversity is its strength,” citing the constitutional right to preserve regional languages.

The All India Congress Committee released a statement urging that “the policy should be based on linguistic democracy, not linguistic dominance.” They cited the 1950 Constitution, which recognises Hindi as one of the official languages, but leaves the freedom for states to adopt their own languages for internal administration.

Follow‑up Actions

The article linked to the Government of India’s official website, which detailed the Home Ministry’s action plan. The plan includes:

• Training modules: Police academies will receive a Hindi‑language curriculum, including terminology for modern policing techniques.
• Judicial translations: A panel of linguists will work with the Supreme Court to produce Hindi translations of landmark judgments.
• Scientific outreach: The Ministry of Science & Technology will collaborate with educational institutions to release Hindi‑based research summaries and public science videos.
• Digital initiatives: The Digital India portal will add a Hindi option for e‑gov services, including the Aadhaar and Income Tax websites.

Additionally, the article references a YouTube clip of the speech, showing a press conference where the minister answered questions about how he plans to fund the translation initiatives. In his response, he cited a new budget allocation of ₹5 billion for linguistic projects over the next five years.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

Whether the proposal will take root remains uncertain. Implementing a uniform language across the police, judiciary, and science departments is an enormous logistical challenge. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where Hindi is a minority language, may resist adopting it as a compulsory language.

However, Shah’s speech has already started a national conversation. Several educational institutions have announced plans to produce Hindi‑language versions of their course materials. A small but growing number of tech firms are developing Hindi‑enabled chatbots, and the Supreme Court’s translation office has already begun work on the Maharashtra vs. State of Goa judgment.

In a country where language is inextricably linked to identity, the push for Hindi as a unifying medium is a bold political statement. It will be fascinating to see how this initiative unfolds in the coming months and whether it will genuinely translate into greater inclusivity and efficiency across the Indian state apparatus.