Why Is the Three-Language Formula Enforced Only in South India, Not in the North?

There is no doubt that Hindi is being imposed on South Indian states. On the one hand, there is a massive migration from North India to South India. On the other, the central government enforces the three-language formula mainly in the South while exempting the North. While Telugu-speaking people remain relatively silent, neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are voicing their dissent.

Tamil Nadu has historically opposed Hindi imposition, and now Karnataka is joining in. In Bengaluru, North Indians often insist on speaking Hindi, making non-Hindi speakers feel alienated. Some North Indians even claim that Bengaluru owes its development to their migration, provoking strong reactions from the local Kannadigas. Unlike Tamil Nadu, Karnataka previously did not emphasize Kannada as a compulsory language. However, with the increasing dominance of Hindi in gated communities and workplaces, Kannadigas have begun resisting this cultural shift.

In IT companies, despite English being the primary language of communication, North Indians are aggressively pushing Hindi. As a result, North Indians in Karnataka are facing backlash. Auto drivers are among the first to protest, and Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations are becoming more intense to reinforce local identity. If Hindi speakers had not overstepped their bounds, such tensions would not have arisen. BJP’s presence in Karnataka has also indirectly fueled Hindi dominance. Unlike in Tamil Nadu, where BJP has minimal influence, Karnataka sees stronger Hindi promotion. Meanwhile, Congress is capitalizing on the situation by supporting Kannada and opposing Hindi imposition, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah making clear statements on the matter.

The Origin and Implementation of the Three-Language Formula

The three-language formula was introduced post-independence to promote linguistic balance. According to this policy, while South Indian states teach Hindi along with their regional language and English, North Indian states are supposed to teach a South Indian language alongside Hindi and English. However, in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, Hindi is taught as the first language, English as the second, and no South Indian language is included. In contrast, South Indian states have been teaching Hindi for decades. Tamil Nadu, however, stood firm against this imposition.

Despite the central government advocating the three-language policy, no North Indian state has implemented it by teaching Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, or any other Indian language. Instead, they limit their curriculum to Hindi and English. Meanwhile, South Indian states have been compelled to include Hindi in their education system for decades.

The Demographic Argument and Political Representation

Adding to this disparity is the demographic imbalance. North Indian states have seen rapid population growth due to a lack of family planning, while South Indian states have been more disciplined in controlling their populations. As a result, North Indian states argue that Hindi should be the national language simply because they have a larger population.

However, the Indian Constitution does not recognize Hindi as the national language—it is merely one of many regional languages. Yet, Hindi speakers continue to push this narrative aggressively. BJP supporters even suggest withholding funds from Tamil Nadu unless it implements the three-language formula.

Economic Disparity Between North and South

Financially, South Indian states contribute significantly to India’s economy but receive much less in return. The tax revenue collected from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh is disproportionately higher than the funds allocated to them by the central government. For every rupee sent to the center, these states receive less than 40 paise in return, effectively subsidizing the development of North Indian states.

The Looming Threat: Delimitation and Reduced Political Influence

The most significant issue, however, is the upcoming delimitation of parliamentary constituencies based on population. If seats are reallocated based on demographic strength, North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh will gain more MPs, while South Indian states will lose representation.

While South Indian states have long adhered to family planning measures, North Indian states have not. This imbalance will result in a situation where the political power in the Indian Parliament is heavily skewed in favor of the North. If parliamentary seat allocation follows population trends, South India will see reduced political influence.

This means that in the future, central governments will only need to focus on North India to maintain power, further marginalizing South Indian states. They will continue extracting tax revenue from the South while diverting investments to North Indian states like Gujarat.

Will South Indian Leaders Speak Up?

Despite these challenges, only Tamil Nadu has actively raised concerns. South Indian political leaders have failed to address this looming crisis. If they remain silent now, they may never get another opportunity to challenge the imbalance.

If parliamentary seats are increased based on population, South India will lose its political relevance. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala will all suffer from reduced representation, leaving them powerless in national politics.

The key question remains: Why is the three-language formula imposed on South India but not on North India? And why does the central government refuse to address this disparity?