Former India coach Sanjay Bangar is facing criticism after stating that Hindi is the "national language of India" during a live cricket commentary session. The incident occurred during the first One Day International (ODI) match between India and New Zealand on Sunday.

Bangar, who was part of the Hindi commentary panel, made the remark while discussing a conversation between cricketers KL Rahul and Washington Sundar. Former fast bowler Varun Aaron, also on commentary, had mentioned that Rahul and Sundar were speaking in Tamil. Aaron then questioned whether Sundar understood Tamil better, prompting Bangar to interject and state his belief in Hindi, referring to it as the national language.

The comment quickly drew backlash on social media, with many users pointing out that India does not have a designated national language. The Constitution of India recognizes 22 official languages.

Reactions on social media were swift and critical. Users called for Bangar to educate himself on the linguistic diversity of India and the constitutional position regarding national languages. Many highlighted that promoting Hindi as the sole national language disregards the numerous other languages spoken across the country and undermines India's multicultural fabric.

This isn't the first time that the topic of language has caused controversy in India. In December 2025, a Delhi BJP councillor, Renu Chaudhary, faced severe criticism and was forced to apologize after a video surfaced showing her threatening a football coach of African origin for not speaking Hindi. Chaudhary demanded that the coach learn Hindi within a month or be barred from using a public park where he trained local children. Her remarks were widely condemned as bullying, xenophobic, and an abuse of authority.

The incident involving Chaudhary sparked a broader debate about language politics, power, and inclusion in India. Many felt that using language as a tool of control reinforces social hierarchies and can legitimize prejudice.

The current backlash against Sanjay Bangar highlights the sensitivity surrounding language issues in India. While Hindi is widely spoken, it is not the national language, and assertions to the contrary are often met with strong opposition, particularly from those who feel it marginalizes other regional languages and cultures. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting India's linguistic diversity.