Words of the nation: Mahatma Gandhi, Hindustani, and the making of national identity

Mahatma Gandhi’s evolving stance on a national language was central to his vision of swaraj, communal harmony, and inclusive nationalism. Through his work with literary associations, Gandhi championed Hindi-Hindustani as a language of assimilation, opposing rigid linguistic purism. He viewed language as a tool for democratization and mass mobilization, linking it to Hindu-Muslim unity and India’s linguistic diversity. His preference for Hindustani reflected a commitment to pluralism, representation, and relational nationalism. This paper examines Gandhi’s linguistic thought to illuminate its continuing relevance for debates on identity, diversity, and democratic belonging in postcolonial and contemporary contexts.