Not a wrong emphasis

Sir, - In his article ``The BJP's game plan'' (TheHindu, Jan. 11), Mr. V. Krishna Ananth has made a critical reference to the 1955 Jan Sangh resolution on education which said ``it is necessary to lay emphasis on the study of the Sanskrit language and literature'' and that ``for discipline and physical well- being there should be adequate arrangements for physical and military training''.

Intervening in the Lok Sabha debate on the Official Languages Bill on April 24, 1963, Pandit Nehru said: ``In fact, one may say with confidence that Sanskrit has represented broadly all the thought, culture and traditions of India. I do not say exclusively, but broadly it may be said so... I think it would be a great pity if Sanskrit became a completely dead language in India at any time. That would also do a great damage to all that we stand for in India... I should like to encourage the learning of Sanskrit as widely as possible... Sanskrit gives a certain basis and foundation for our present-day languages, still strengthens them, gives them depth and so on. We should cherish it...''

Also, we have it on the authority of Mr. Subash C. Kashyap (TheHindu, Open Page, Jan. 11) that there was a body in the Constituent Assembly which strongly advocated the adoption of Sanskrit as the official language; the highly articulate member, Prof. Naziruddin Ahmad, regretted that ``we did not know with what great veneration Sanskrit was held in the civilised world outside''; and that Prof. Sahidullah, world-renowned scholar of Sanskrit, said Sanskrit was ``the language of every man to whatever race he may belong.'' So, would it be correct to criticise the Jan Sangh's emphasis on the study of Sanskrit language and literature?

Coming to `physical and military training', it is difficult to see how the Jan Sangh's thinking could be faulted. Looking at the feeble-hearted manner in which we, as a people, reacted during the recent hijack crisis and considering reports that in a country not friendly to us schools are being used as training centres for militancy and terrorism, one expects that in retrospect the Jan Sangh's thinking would be endorsed. How do we inculcate courage and a spirit of physical endurance in our young men and women, except by training when they are in schools and colleges, when they have daring and dash? Are not ``karate'' centres flourishing today and even girls and children getting voluntary training and sporting the belts?

V. Krishnamachari,

Mumbai

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Opinion
Previous : Misusing a sacred term