India is a country of many languages, cultures, and identities — a mosaic that should ideally celebrate diversity. Yet, we often find ourselves caught in language-based conflicts: debates over Hindi imposition, regional pride vs. national unity, and even social media wars over “pure” vs. “impure” language use. In this backdrop, there’s something refreshingly beautiful about the way Gujarati people approach language — a lesson in inclusiveness, coexistence, and quiet pride.
Gujaratis are proud of their language, and rightly so. With its rich literary heritage, poetic traditions, and vibrant vocabulary, Gujarati has produced legends like Narsinh Mehta, Jhaverchand Meghani, and modern voices like Jhumpa Lahiri (whose roots trace back to Gujarat). Walk through any Gujarati household, and you’ll hear the language spoken with love — from elders to kids, in family gatherings, at local shops, and community events.
But what stands out is that this pride never crosses over into language arrogance. Gujaratis rarely force others to speak their language. Instead, they adapt. They are just as comfortable switching to Hindi, English, or even Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, or any other language, depending on where they are and who they’re speaking with.
Perhaps this is because of Gujarat’s long history as a land of traders, travelers, and pilgrims. From the ports of Surat to the lanes of Ahmedabad, Gujarat has always been open to people from across India and the world. Parsis, Jains, Muslims, Sindhis, Marathis, and many others have called Gujarat home for centuries. And Gujaratis themselves are some of the most widespread migrant communities — from East Africa to America, from Kolkata to Kochi.
This openness is deeply ingrained in the Gujarati psyche. Language is not a barrier, but a bridge. Gujaratis are known for their ability to pick up bits of any language — often for the sake of business, friendship, or hospitality. Their warmth doesn’t depend on whether you speak Gujarati — they’ll meet you halfway, often with a smile and a hearty “Kem cho?” followed quickly by “How are you?” if needed.
Sadly, in recent times, we’ve seen rising instances of language-based hate in different parts of India. In cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai, there have been cases where people who cannot speak Marathi, Kannada, or Tamil have faced criticism, harassment, and even exclusion. This trend is worrying and goes against the very spirit of India — a nation built on mutual respect, linguistic diversity, and cultural exchange.
No one should be made to feel inferior because they don’t speak a regional language. Language should not become a tool to divide or discriminate. Everyone should have the right to live and work peacefully, irrespective of the language they speak.
In this context, Gujarat offers a powerful example of how language can be a source of pride without becoming a weapon of exclusion. Gujaratis show us that it’s possible to love your mother tongue while also respecting and welcoming others. It’s possible to preserve your linguistic heritage without forcing it upon others.
Language hate serves no one. It divides, alienates, and shrinks our world. On the other hand, language love — like that practiced by many in Gujarat — expands our horizons, deepens relationships, and builds trust.
India’s strength lies in its ability to hold many identities together. We must move from “language wars” to “language celebration.” Instead of mocking accents, let’s celebrate fluency in multiple tongues. Instead of imposing one language, let’s encourage mutual respect for all — from Kannada to Kashmiri, Marathi to Maithili, Tamil to Telugu, and yes, Gujarati too.
Let’s take a page from Gujarat — a state where language pride lives peacefully with national unity, where people love their language but never let it come in the way of human connection.
Shreyas Trivedi 