A recent session of the Lok Sabha witnessed a heated exchange regarding language, igniting a debate about national identity and linguistic preference in the Indian Parliament. The controversy arose when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Nishikant Dubey refused to speak in English despite requests from some members, criticizing the insistence on using what he termed a "foreign language".
The incident occurred during a discussion on Operation Sindoor, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. A technical glitch in the Lok Sabha's translation device prompted some members, particularly those from Tamil Nadu, to request that Dubey switch from Hindi to English to ensure everyone could follow the proceedings. However, Dubey declined, expressing his pride in speaking Hindi and questioning why it should be contentious. He argued that if he were asked to speak in Tamil or Bengali, he would have been glad to do so.
Dubey's refusal sparked a heated debate, with the BJP MP accusing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) members of harboring hatred for Hindi and North Indians. He pointed out that when a member spoke in Bengali for half an hour, no one from Tamil Nadu objected, implying a bias against Hindi. Dubey went on to suggest that promoting English would lead to a form of enslavement, saying, "If you keep promoting English, we'll end up becoming England. 'Hum phir se gulaam ho jayenge' (We will become slaves again)".
The MP's remarks triggered a storm in Parliament and online, highlighting the deep divisions and sensitivities surrounding language politics in India. The incident also brought to the forefront the ongoing cultural tensions related to language and regional identity. Article 120 of the Constitution allows members to use their mother tongue in Parliament. Instances of MPs using languages other than Hindi or English, such as the recent use of Bengali by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs Sayani Ghosh and Kalyan Banerjee, are becoming more common.
The situation was eventually resolved when Tamil translation was made available, emphasizing the need for linguistic inclusivity in governmental proceedings. However, the incident underscores the complexities of language politics in India, where Hindi is often promoted as a national language, but many regional languages hold significant cultural and historical importance. The controversy also highlights the delicate balance between promoting national unity and respecting regional identities.
