Mumbai: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), India’s formidable ideological fountainhead, has recently articulated a powerful and profoundly significant statement: “All Indian languages are national languages.” This declaration, coming from an organization with deep roots in Hindu nationalism and a pervasive influence on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is far from a mere linguistic pronouncement. It is a strategic pronouncement imbued with layers of cultural, political, and social implications, particularly resonant in states like Maharashtra, where linguistic identity has long been a potent political tool, wielded most famously by the Thackeray brothers and their Shiv Sena.
The Shifting Sands of RSS Ideology
Traditionally, the discourse around a “national language” in India has often been fraught with controversy, frequently perceived as an attempt at Hindi imposition by non-Hindi speaking states. The RSS’s unequivocal embrace of all Indian languages as “national” signifies a notable evolution in its approach to national integration. This stance aligns seamlessly with the broader “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Great India) vision, a BJP-led initiative that champions cultural integration while actively celebrating India’s rich diversity. By elevating all languages, the RSS aims to dismantle divisive narratives that have, for decades, fueled regional tensions and undermined the notion of a cohesive national identity. This move is a clear attempt to counter linguistic chauvinism and, by extension, dilute the very foundations of regionalist agendas that have historically thrived on such sentiments.
The timing of this statement is also crucial. It emerges amidst ongoing debates and protests, particularly in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, regarding language policies, specifically the perceived imposition of Hindi. The recent joint appearance of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, seemingly united in their opposition to the three-language policy (which had proposed compulsory Hindi education in primary schools), underscores the continued potency of linguistic issues in regional politics. The RSS’s statement, therefore, serves as a pre-emptive measure, seeking to defuse these tensions and project an image of linguistic equity, thus strengthening the BJP’s national appeal.
The Legacy of the Thackerays: A Fading Echo?
The RSS comment directly, though subtly, targets the political strategies long employed by the Thackeray brothers – Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Their political lineage traces back to the legendary Balasaheb Thackeray, the charismatic founder of Shiv Sena. Balasaheb built his empire on the fierce advocacy of Marathi pride, a “sons of the soil” rhetoric that often translated into aggressive campaigns against “outsiders,” especially North Indian migrants.
Balasaheb’s era, as the RSS comment rightly observes, was a different time. In the 1960s and 70s, Mumbai, a rapidly industrializing city, witnessed significant migration, leading to anxieties among Marathi-speaking locals about job security and cultural identity. Balasaheb skillfully tapped into these anxieties, mobilizing the ‘Marathi manoos’ (common man) with his fiery oratory and powerful cartoons. This strategy allowed Shiv Sena to establish a formidable presence in Maharashtra’s political landscape. However, it is a crucial historical fact that even at the zenith of his influence, Balasaheb could not form a government independently. His power stemmed from strategic alliances, most notably with the BJP, which culminated in their joint rule of Maharashtra from 1995-1999.
The notion of “Ekla Chalo” (going it alone), often associated with Balasaheb’s independent and assertive style, is now characterized as “seemingly over” by the RSS. This observation is a sharp commentary on the evolving dynamics of Indian politics, where coalition governments and broader national narratives have eclipsed narrow regionalist appeals. Both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray now find themselves in a challenging environment, where their traditional anti-migrant rhetoric, once a potent force, struggles to gain traction in a more interconnected and globally aware India.
The Political Quandary of the Thackeray Brothers
The RSS’s declaration implicitly urges the Thackerays to recalibrate their political calculus, signaling that a path to power built solely on regionalist and anti-migrant sentiments is no longer viable.
For Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT), this message holds particular weight. Uddhav’s political journey has been marked by significant shifts. After years of alliance with the BJP, he made a dramatic pivot in 2019, forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government with the ideologically disparate Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This alliance necessitated a dilution of Shiv Sena’s hardline Hindutva and Marathi chauvinism, embracing a more inclusive governance model. The subsequent 2022 split, engineered by Eknath Shinde who aligned with the BJP, further weakened Uddhav’s faction and forced him to rebrand his party as Shiv Sena (UBT).
The RSS’s statement challenges Uddhav to fully embrace a more inclusive posture. By emphasizing linguistic equality, the RSS reinforces the BJP’s vision of national unity, which transcends narrow regional loyalties. While Uddhav’s foray into the MVA signaled his willingness to adapt, his party’s core Marathi base still expects him to champion their interests. Navigating this tightrope – balancing the RSS’s call for inclusivity with the demands of his traditional Marathi votebank – will be a defining challenge for Uddhav Thackeray. His recent decision to join hands with Raj Thackeray on the issue of Hindi imposition, despite their long-standing estrangement, highlights this delicate balancing act. While it provides a temporary boost to their “Marathi Asmita” (Marathi pride) plank, the long-term viability of such a strategy, especially against the backdrop of the RSS’s unifying message, remains uncertain.
Raj Thackeray and MNS face an even more direct challenge. Raj’s political career has been more explicitly defined by aggressive anti-North Indian campaigns, often leading to public unrest and violence. However, despite the sensationalism, this strategy has consistently failed to translate into significant electoral success. The MNS has struggled to secure substantial representation in either state or national elections, and its political influence has steadily waned.
The RSS’s comment serves as a pointed reminder to Raj that “bashing North Indians” is a losing proposition in contemporary Indian politics. While Raj has, in recent years, attempted to broaden his appeal by aligning with the BJP on certain Hindutva issues, his party’s core identity remains intertwined with its regionalist and anti-migrant past. The RSS’s clear articulation of linguistic equality underscores that such divisive regionalism is increasingly out of step with the prevailing national political climate, leaving MNS with a shrinking political space. His recent reunion with Uddhav over the Hindi language issue, while superficially bolstering their combined strength, might also be interpreted as a last-ditch effort to revive a fading political narrative.
Linguistic Unity and the National Fabric
The RSS’s declaration is not merely about individual languages; it’s a strategic move to strengthen the BJP’s national footprint. By recognizing all Indian languages as equal, the RSS effectively counters the potent accusation of Hindi imposition, a sensitive issue that has historically alienated non-Hindi speaking states and regional parties from national parties. This inclusive stance is particularly crucial for the BJP, which aims for continued national dominance and relies on building broad coalitions across diverse linguistic and regional groups. The party’s inroads into states like West Bengal and the South, where strong regional identities prevail, depend on its ability to project an image of cultural unity while respecting local specificities.
Beyond politics, the RSS’s statement has the potential to foster a more harmonious social environment, particularly in multicultural cities like Mumbai. Anti-migrant rhetoric has consistently fueled social tensions and, at times, violence. By affirming the equal status of all languages, the RSS subtly advocates for greater coexistence and mutual respect among diverse communities. This could encourage a more inclusive public discourse on migration and identity, reducing the appeal of parties that thrive on divisive rhetoric and promoting a more constructive approach to managing urban diversity. Mumbai’s economic dynamism and cosmopolitan character are intrinsically linked to its ability to attract and integrate people from all parts of India.
Challenges on the Path to Inclusivity
Despite its laudable intent, the RSS’s statement faces inherent challenges in its practical application. Regional sensitivities, particularly the deep-seated Marathi pride in Maharashtra, will continue to be a powerful political force. Any perceived dilution of Marathi identity could still be leveraged by political opportunists, putting pressure on parties like Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS to maintain their regionalist credentials, even if it means selectively interpreting or outright ignoring the RSS’s message.
Furthermore, while the RSS holds immense ideological sway, its pronouncements do not always translate into immediate or universal shifts in political behavior or public opinion. The Thackeray brothers, driven by electoral imperatives, may continue to deploy Marathi identity for short-term gains, especially in local body elections where regional sentiments often resonate more strongly. The true test of the RSS’s statement will lie in its ability to fundamentally alter the political discourse and gradually erode the appeal of divisive linguistic chauvinism across India.
The RSS’s declaration that “All Indian languages are national languages” is a powerful and timely intervention in India’s complex linguistic and political landscape. It signals a strategic shift towards greater inclusivity, aiming to promote national unity by recognizing and valuing the inherent diversity of Indian languages. For the Thackeray brothers, whose political empires were built on regionalist and anti-migrant rhetoric, this statement serves as a stark reminder that the “Ekla Chalo” days of narrow regionalism are increasingly irrelevant in an era of coalition politics and national integration. Their political future hinges on their ability to adapt to this evolving reality, finding a way to champion Marathi identity within a broader, more inclusive national framework. The RSS’s statement, while symbolic, underscores a crucial truth: India’s strength lies not in uniformity, but in the vibrant tapestry of its diverse cultures and languages, all equally national.
