[Points: When first introduced—its effect—present position—your views.]
It was during the time of Lord Bentinck as Governor-General that English was first introduced in India. The proposal had met with strong opposition from many influential quarters; but thanks to Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Lord Macaulay, it received the Governor General's approval in 1835. More than a hundred and fortyseven years have passed since then. That the measure has done good to our country by throwing open to us through English the vast storehouse of know ledge in different parts of the world is admitted on all hands.
But the situation has changed now, and there is a widespread demand all over India for instruction through the mother tongue. This is natural in these days for every self-respecting people. In fact, steps have already been taken in this direction in all the States of India so that the light of knowledge may reach every citizen, however humble he or she may be. But English has been still retained as a compulsory subject of study from the secondary education stage in every State.
I am strongly of opinion that it should continue as such for many more years to come for our own good. No doubt, it is a foreign language, the language of our late masters. But knowledge is above all territorial considerations. English is the most widely-read language in the present-day world, and is a subject of study even in some other independent countries where it is not the mother tongue of the people there.
It has also to be borne in mind that none of our regional languages is developed enough to fit as vehicles for higher studies, particularly in scientific subjects. No doubt, some strides have been made since independence; but much yet remains to be done. There is yet another very important consideration for the retention of English as a subject of study. Ours is a vast land where different people speak different tongues. Most of the people of one state cannot understand the language of another state. This makes it impossible for communication of ideas and growth of a feeling of oneness among the masses in different parts of India. English forms the link language and to abolish it at this stage will be suicidal from the national point of view.
