Here's why Hindi is considered the official language:
* Historical Roots: Hindi, with its roots in Sanskrit, has a long history and is spoken by a large portion of the Indian population. It was also favored by the pre-independence national movement.
* Political Influence: After independence, Hindi was favored by many leaders as a symbol of national unity.
* Spread and Adoption: Hindi is widely spoken and understood in many parts of India, making it practical for communication and governance.
However, it's crucial to recognize the following:
* Linguistic Diversity: India is a land of many languages, with over 22 official languages recognized by the Constitution.
* Regional Languages: Many Indians speak languages other than Hindi, and these languages are equally important to their cultural identities.
* National Language Debate: The choice of Hindi as an official language has been debated for years, with some opposing it due to concerns of linguistic dominance and marginalization of other languages.
Therefore, while Hindi holds an important place in the Indian context, it's not the "national language" and coexists with other languages.