In the midst of rising tensions around language identity in states like Karnataka and Maharashtra, a refreshing video from Gujarat is offering a different perspective, and it is winning hearts on social media.
The clip, shared a day ago by content creator Jai Punjabi, features a series of candid street interviews shot in Gujarat. Punjabi begins each conversation admitting, “Main Gujarat mein reh raha hun, par mujhe Gujarati nahi aati” (I live in Gujarat, but I don’t know Gujarati).
Instead of disapproval or awkwardness, he’s met with warmth and humour.
One man responds saying, “Toh reh rahe ho na? Idhar koi dikkat hai? Shanti se raho aur rehne do” (You’re living here, right? There aren’t any issues? Live in peace and let others live in peace). This response struck a chord online.
Another local, switching to Hindi for Punjabi’s sake, says it’s only natural to make outsiders feel at home. “Tumhe nahi aati hai toh main Hindi bol raha hun, varna mereko bhi Gujarati aati hai” (Since you don’t know Gujarati, I am speaking in Hindi. I know Gujarati), he explains.
A third person reassures Punjabi that language is never a barrier in Gujarat. “Koi problem nahi. Kya problem hai? Hum log Hindi mein bolenge na” (There’s no problem. Is there one? We can talk in Hindi).
It’s the last interviewee who impressed netizens the most: “Dekho, desh toh ek hi hai. India hai. Language alag alag hai. Par bolo prem se toh baat ek hi hai” (See, the country is one. It is India. Languages are many. But if we speak with love, everything is the same), he says.
Watch the video:
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The video has already garnered over 16 million views in just 24 hours, and the comments section is buzzing.
“No Karnataka and Maharashtra people harmed in this video,” one user said. Another wrote, “Same with Goa. We try our best to speak Hindi, even if it’s broken, but we never shame anyone for not knowing Konkani.”
Of course, not everyone agreed. One user pointed out, “Still, you should speak the language of the state you live in.”
