Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 19 asserted that, as India embraces its linguistic heritage, speaking English may soon be seen as embarrassing. He emphasized the urgency of replacing colonial-era English with native Indian languages - a key facet of PM Modi's "Panch Pran" cultural agenda . Shah spoke during the launch of a new linguistic initiative in Delhi and at a book event, reinforcing his message that indigenous tongues should regain prominence.

He described the "English Raj" era as nearing its end, stating that future generations will feel pride speaking their mother tongue while viewing English with discomfort. Highlighting the government's efforts, Shah urged officials and citizens alike to reclaim their linguistic roots and give precedence to regional languages in all spheres of national life .

While noting he is not against learning English - or even foreign languages - Shah stressed that fluency in native language is essential to overcoming colonial-era language insecurity and preserving cultural identity . His remarks revive debate on language policy and reflect a broader ideological effort to bolster India’s cultural autonomy.