When the language debate in the Constituent Assembly turned bitter, w…

When the language debate in the Constituent Assembly turned bitter, which approach did the speeches of Shankarrao Deo of Bombay and T. A. Ramalingam Chettiar of Madras share?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → Hindi should be advanced with caution, without forcing it on people

Option (1) Hindi should be declared the National Language at once, despite the protests — Incorrect. This was Dhulekar's demand. Deo and Chettiar warned that such a forceful push would only add to people's fears.

Option (2) Hindustani in the Persian script should be the official language — Incorrect. Neither speaker asked for one script or one form of Hindustani. They spoke about how any language should be brought in.

Option (3) English should be kept and the idea of a national language given up — Incorrect. Both accepted a language for the nation. Deo even offered support for Hindi, on conditions.

Option (4) Hindi should be advanced with caution, without forcing it on people — Correct. Both appealed for a <strong>spirit of accommodation</strong>. Deo asked that nothing be done to raise his fears, and Chettiar asked for <strong>mutual adjustment and no question of forcing things on people</strong>.

NCERT (2026-27): “5.2 The fear of domination …
As the discussion became acrimonious, many members appealed for a spirit of accommodation. A member from Bombay, Shri Shankarrao Deo 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.” T. A. Ramalingam Chettiar from Madras emphasised that whatever was done had to be done with caution; the cause of Hindi would not be helped if it was pushed too aggressively. The fears of the people, even if they were unjustified, had to be allayed, or else “there will be bitter feelings left behind”. “When we want to live together and form a united nation,” he said, “there should be mutual adjustment and no question of forcing things on people ...””

When the language debate in the Constituent Assembly turned bitter, which approach did the speeches of Shankarrao Deo of Bombay and T. A. Ramalingam Chettiar of Madras share?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → Hindi should be advanced with caution, without forcing it on people

Option (3) English should be kept and the idea of a national language given up — Incorrect. Both accepted a language for the nation. Deo even offered support for Hindi, on conditions.