The problem of national language continues to plague India even today. There have been language riots in South India where there is a revulsion against Hindi and a constant apprehension of it being forcibly superimposed. A uniform national language policy, is yet to be evolved, and the linguistic impediment to national integration still remains. He thoughts of Netaji Subhas on the problem are worthy of careful consideration.

In his speech delivered as the Chairman of the reception Committee, Rastra Bhasa Sammelan on 28/12/28, Subhas expressed his admiration for the Hindi Language and sought to allay the misgivings of the Hindi speaking people that Bengalis were opposed to the adoption of Hindi as national language. He recalled the contribution of eminent Bengalis to Hindi literature and journalism particularly Bhudev Mukherjee, Navin Chandra Roy and Amiya Chakroborty. Subhas who was an ardent believer in provincial autonomy, remarked that for exchange of ideas with people of a different province, we ought to learn Hindustani as an inter-provincial language. He added prophetically 'The day is not distant when Hindi will be the national language of Swadhin Bharat'.

The question may be raised as to why Subhas, who was extremely proficient in Sanskrit, did not champion the cause of Sanskrit as India's national language. It may be surmised, that he did not consider it feasible in the days of the national movement when it was necessary to mobilize people of different provinces under one banner in a united struggle against British imperialism. Subhas's concern for provincial sentiments is noteworthy. He was aware of the psychological aspects of nationalism and wanted to convince people of all provinces that due respect was being shown to their provincial language, so as to prevent any feeling of resentment from developing in their minds. In present India, the contemptuous attitude of some intellectuals towards regional languages and dialects, has contributed to the rise of a reactionary form of linguistic nationalism. Subhas Chandra Bose's open minded and liberal approach ought to be emulated in this regard to prevent the simmering fire from developing into a gigantic conflagration. One of the causes behind the Kamtapuri movement of North Bengal, is the disdainful attitude of a section of Bengali intellectuals towards the local language of the Rajbanshis. Perhaps, if Netaji had been at the helm of affairs, he would have assuaged their wounded feelings and ensured that the rising tide of linguistic nationalism receded to a low ebb. However, he would never have supported the cause of a separate state because that would have militated against national unity to which he assigned topmost priority.