New Delhi, Nov 11: CPI(M) MP John Brittas has expressed concern over the increasing use of Hindi in Parliament, particularly by members of the treasury benches. Brittas has claimed that there is a deliberate attempt to make Hindi the default language of the House, with many ministers, despite being fluent in English, choosing to speak in Hindi.
In an interview with Press Trust of India (PTI), Brittas suggested that this shift is not incidental but part of a larger effort to elevate Hindi as the primary language of communication in Parliament. He noted that traditionally, MPs would respond in English if a question was asked in English, but that practice seems to be fading. Additionally, when some treasury bench members choose to speak in English, there are indications for them to switch to Hindi, further reinforcing the push for Hindi dominance.
India’s Linguistic Landscape at a Crossroads
India is home to hundreds of languages, each deeply rooted in its cultural identity. The move toward Hindi becoming the dominant language in Parliament, according to Brittas, contradicts this linguistic richness. He raised the issue after receiving multiple official letters in Hindi from a BJP minister, despite the longstanding norm of sending such correspondence in English for MPs from South India. This, Brittas argued, represents a departure from the expected practice and an attempt to promote Hindi more aggressively.
Challenges for MPs from Non-Hindi Speaking States
Brittas also pointed out the difficulties faced by MPs from non-Hindi speaking states as Hindi usage becomes more widespread in Parliament. He argued that the shift to Hindi limits the ability of legislators to engage fully and effectively, particularly when they do not speak the language fluently. The subtle instruction to switch to Hindi when speaking English, Brittas claimed, reflects a broader push to standardize the language used in parliamentary discourse.
Brittas’s protest by responding in Malayalam during a Rajya Sabha discussion in response to Hindi replies highlights the ongoing concerns regarding language use in the House. The move has sparked a broader debate on how language policies are shaping political discourse in India, and whether MPs from different regions will continue to have an equal voice in parliamentary proceedings.
This growing trend of using Hindi as the primary medium of communication in Parliament raises significant questions about language inclusion and the future of parliamentary interactions in India.