Sanskrit – The Mother of Indian Languages, Says Central Home Minister Amit Shah
At the valedictory function of 1,008 Sanskrit conversation programs held in Delhi, Central Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the significance of Sanskrit, describing it as the “mother of many Indian languages.” Addressing the gathering, Shah stated that Sanskrit forms the linguistic foundation for numerous Indian languages and carries immense historical and cultural value.
He pointed out that the decline of Sanskrit began even before the colonial era and that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an environment conducive to the revival of Sanskrit is now emerging. This statement comes at a time when there is growing interest in reclaiming and revitalizing India’s ancient heritage.
Shah further highlighted that Sanskrit is not just an ancient language but a scientific one as well. He noted that many globally renowned linguists have acknowledged the depth, structure, and scientific nature of Sanskrit. It has long served as a carrier of India’s philosophical, medical, mathematical, and spiritual knowledge systems.
To support the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit and other ancient languages like Prakrit, Shah announced that the Central Government has allocated ₹500 crore. This funding is aimed at collecting, digitizing, and conserving scattered Sanskrit and Prakrit manuscripts across the country. Such efforts are intended to protect and promote India’s linguistic and literary heritage for future generations.
The Home Minister also reiterated that promoting Sanskrit is not merely about reviving a language—it is part of a broader cultural and developmental mission. A stronger connection to Sanskrit, he said, will help foster national unity and reinforce the country’s shared civilizational roots.
Historically, Sanskrit has influenced numerous Indian languages. Though South Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam have distinct origins and literary traditions, many loanwords, grammatical patterns, and literary works show Sanskritic influence. North Indian languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Odia are even more closely linked to Sanskrit in terms of vocabulary and structure.
Shah’s speech also underlines the role of Sanskrit in promoting holistic growth, suggesting that linguistic revival can contribute to educational, scientific, and cultural development. By encouraging Sanskrit learning and conversational fluency, the government envisions creating a new generation of Indians who are better connected with the nation’s roots.
The initiative received praise from scholars, cultural organizations, and language enthusiasts. Many believe that reviving Sanskrit can unlock forgotten knowledge and instill pride in India’s intellectual history. However, critics argue that such efforts should be inclusive and respect the linguistic diversity of India.
In conclusion, Amit Shah’s emphasis on Sanskrit as the mother of Indian languages is part of a larger cultural movement. Through funding, education, and grassroots initiatives, the government aims to reestablish Sanskrit not just as a ceremonial language, but as a vibrant, living medium of communication and learning.
