Answer:

Nature of India’s linguistic diversity:

In India, there are more than 200 languages, being spoken by different groups. There exists ‘linguistic pluralism’ in India, which is a state of ‘mutual existence’ of several languages in a contiguous space. The plurality of languages has led to ‘language problems’, in the past. These problems being: i) Linguistic reorganization of the states in India ii) Status of ‘minority languages’ in the states iii) Official language issue.

Language Problems and National Integration:

♤ Linguistic reorganization of states was primarily done for administrative convenience. It also helped in fulfilling the aspirations of different linguistic groups in India, without threatening national unity.

♤ Discriminatory practices or policies against ‘linguistic minorities’ in different states, can in the long term threaten national integration. Prejudiced treatment against linguistic minorities, can perpetuate ‘separatism’. Example: Bengali speaking people in Assam, Kanada, Malayalam speaking people in Andhra Pradesh. There are various Constitutional Provisions, to safeguard the interests of ‘linguistic minorities’, enshrined in Articles: 29, 30, 347, 350.

♤ ‘Hindi, English’ are the ‘official languages’ of the Union. There are ‘regional languages ‘recognized as the ‘official languages’ of the states. There has emerged a ‘hierarchy of official status’. The 1960s witnessed ‘anti-Hindi’ agitations’, in the southern states, speaking Dravidian family of languages. The fear of Hindi becoming the ‘national language’ was allayed by the continuance of English as the official language. Also the ‘Three language formula ‘was devised to accommodate the different languages, in the educational curriculum.