Language itself isn't an identity but nevertheless there isn't much difference to me in between destroying the Bamyan Buddhas and the french regime trying to eliminate different languages, the idea behind is just as sick, eradicate any form of different cultural expressions. They are no different than talibans in a way, they can't stand, tolerate what they feel as an attempt to the "supremacy" of the "official" culture including the language that they have determined should be the reference everyone must have.

These fights against cultures and expressions have a lot in common.