Question

______stated that as a Congressman and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi he had accepted Hindustani as a language of the nation, but he warned: “if you want my wholehearted support (for Hindi) you must not do now anything which may raise my suspicions and which will strengthen my fears.”

• A. Shri Shankarrao Deo
• B. Jawaharlal Nehru
• C. Sir A. Ramaswamy Mudaliar
• D. T. A. Ramalingam Chettiar

Hint:

To remember this, associate Shankarrao Deo with the "middle ground." He represents the Gandhian perspective in the Constituent Assembly that favored a multi-cultural linguistic approach rather than strict "Hindi imposition."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: The debate over the "National Language" was one of the most contentious issues in the Constituent Assembly of India. While Mahatma Gandhi promoted Hindustani (a blend of Hindi and Urdu) as a bridge between communities, many proponents of "Hindi in Devanagari script" pushed for a more Sanskritized version of the language. Key historical context:
• The Compromise: Leaders from non-Hindi speaking areas were concerned that the imposition of Hindi would lead to cultural and linguistic marginalization.
• Shri Shankarrao Deo: A member from Bombay (now Maharashtra), he was a staunch follower of Gandhi and a supporter of the linguistic harmony Gandhi envisioned.

Step 1: Understanding the Speaker's Position.
Shri Shankarrao Deo expressed the sentiments of many Congressmen who were willing to accept Hindustani/Hindi for the sake of national unity but were wary of the aggressive manner in which it was being advocated by Hindi enthusiasts. He emphasized that for Hindi to be accepted, its proponents must act in a way that inspires confidence rather than fear in non-Hindi speakers.

Step 2: Evaluating Other Options.

• Jawaharlal Nehru (b): While he supported Hindustani, he generally acted as a mediator between the opposing factions.
• T. A. Ramalingam Chettiar (d): He was a member from Madras who also voiced similar fears, but the specific quote regarding being a "follower of Mahatma Gandhi" who "accepted Hindustani" is historically attributed to Shankarrao Deo during the assembly debates.