iDas - Info - Reimagining State Emblems for a Democratic India

🛡️ Public Note: Reimagining State Emblems for a Democratic India

India is a nation of many tongues, many cultures—yet bound by a common thread of unity. In this spirit, it's time we reconsider the language structure on our state emblems, the very symbols that represent our governments and collective identity.

We propose that every Indian state emblem respectfully include three languages:

English – representing India’s global presence.
Hindi – one of the official languages of the Union, serving as a national bridge.
The Regional Language – the true voice of the state’s people and heritage.

This is not about giving dominance to Hindi or English. No one is pushing for a "Hindi-major" or "English-major" design. It is about building a thoughtful symbol for future generations—one that respects every language equally and recognizes the equal dignity of every citizen.

No language, and by extension, no person, should be seen as above or below another in respect or cultural worth. Our emblems should reflect this foundational truth of our democracy. They must be inclusive, balanced, and future-oriented, not echoes of a colonial or royal past.

Let these emblems remind us that India is not just a union of states, but a union of people—equal in pride, language, and voice.

🕊️ For a Truly United, Democratic, and Respectful India – by All, for All.

📜 Quotes (Contextually Relevant):

"If you want to destroy a nation, destroy its language first."
— Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
"Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization."
— Mahatma Gandhi
"In diversity there is beauty and there is strength."
— Maya Angelou
"Democracy is not just the right to vote, it is the right to live in dignity."
— Naomi Klein
"Respect for all languages is the first sign of respect for all people."
— Anonymous

Source: https://nlcbharat.org/emblems/

Warning:

When every voice is written, every identity is seen. But when voices are excluded—by design or neglect—identities fade, and fractures grow. Language on a symbol is not about dominance—it’s about recognition. Unity is not born from uniformity, but from equal visibility. An emblem that speaks in all our tongues speaks for all of us. You don’t inherit democracy—you build it, line by line, language by language. And let this be clear: a language on an emblem is not about power—it’s about presence. If our symbols don’t reflect our people, then who—or what—are they really serving?