Tongue twisters

For others in the state, it’s a much needed move. An average Gujarati has always found English come between him and success in competitive exams. Successive films have ridiculed the Gujarati’s pronunciation. Routine favourites: bed for bad, snake for snack, hole for hall.

English may still inspire fear in the hearts of both urban and rural Gujaratis, but it’s a fear they are willing to overcome.

So when the Modi government declared its intention to introduce the subject from class I, the only opposition to it came from Vidya Bharti which has announced it will not let English in its schools in Gujarat. That politics is what drives this opposition is not lost on many. After all, sons and daughters of many RSS functionaries have studied in English medium schools.

Vidya Bharti’s pradesh chief Harshad Shah says, ‘‘We are not against English. Only against its early introduction which is not only an assault on local languages but also culture.’’ Shah argues that countries like France, China or Germany have done well without insisting on English.

‘‘If you see development only in ‘hi, hello’ and not in ‘Jai shri krishna’ be prepared for a culture that ensures free sex at 20, spawns old age homes and promotes Valentine’s Day,’’ he says.’’

MODI is firm on his decision. On many previous occasions, he has reportedly said he would have done better had his English been better. ‘‘Were Aurobindo or Swami Vivekanand who excelled in the foreign language any less patriotic?’’ he asked at a public function.

The RSS is avoiding taking a public posture on the controversy. Shah says it’s not necessary that ‘‘the RSS should be with us on the issue, it works for awakening of Hindus.’’

An RSS functionary says, ‘‘We should be able to discriminate between modernisation and westernisation. We are not against English one should know it but one should know one’s mother tongue first. In any case, Gujarat has shown the way that one can be in England or America without knowing the language,’’ he says.

Vidya Bharti, plans to intensify its stir. ‘We will continue to oppose the move,’’ says Shah, detailing its plans to take the campaign further by distributing a 42-point leaflet opposing the concept.