Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Hindi is not opposed to any Indian language, rather it is friends with all Indian languages and there should be no opposition to any foreign language in the country. Amit Shah said, I sincerely believe that Hindi can't be opposed ('virodhi') to any Indian language. Hindi is a friend ('sakhi') of all Indian languages. Hindi and other Indian languages together can take the self-esteem of the country's culture to its final destination’. He asked all the state governments to take the initiative to impart medical and engineering education in the local language. Shah also said that as far as the country is concerned, language is not just a medium of communication, it is the soul of a nation.

The Home Minister stated that the competitive exams are now being conducted in 13 languages, moving away from the two-language format. Shah also said that everyone should get rid of the slavery mentality and until a person takes pride in his own language, or does not express himself in his language, that person cannot be free from the mentality of slavery.

Shah’s remarks came in the wake of a political firestorm triggered by his comments last week, where he said, ‘In this country, those who speak English will soon feel ashamed - the creation of such a society is not far away. Only those who are determined can bring about change. I believe that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture. Without our languages, we cease to be truly Indian’.