Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram has launched a sharp critique against the central government's practice of using Hindi words in the titles of parliamentary bills. He labeled the move an affront to the vast non-Hindi speaking population of India and called for an immediate reversal of the trend.
A Growing Pattern of Hindi Usage in Parliament
Chidambaram's criticism centers on a noticeable shift in how government bills are being presented. He pointed out that several recent bills introduced in Parliament have featured Hindi words prominently in their official English titles. This marks a departure from the long-standing convention where bills were introduced with titles solely in English, the language used for parliamentary proceedings.
The veteran politician cited specific examples to underscore his point. He mentioned bills like 'The Central Goods and Services Tax (Samavesh) Rules, 2024' and 'The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) (Sanshodhan) Bill, 2024'. In these titles, the Hindi words 'Samavesh' (integration) and 'Sanshodhan' (amendment) are inserted within parentheses following their English counterparts.
"This is an affront to the non-Hindi speaking people of the country," Chidambaram stated emphatically. He argued that this practice creates unnecessary confusion and imposes a linguistic preference that contradicts India's diverse linguistic fabric.
The Constitutional and Practical Argument Against Hindi Imposition
Chidambaram anchored his opposition in both constitutional principles and practical governance. He reminded that while Hindi is an official language, English serves as an associate official language for all government purposes, a status guaranteed by the Official Languages Act of 1963. This arrangement was specifically designed to protect the interests of non-Hindi speaking states.
From a practical standpoint, he highlighted that parliamentary debates, committee discussions, and legal interpretations are conducted primarily in English. Introducing Hindi elements into the formal titles of legislation, he contends, complicates communication and sets a problematic precedent. It suggests a gradual move towards prioritizing one language over others in the nation's highest legislative forum.
"The title of a bill should be only in English," Chidambaram asserted. He appealed directly to the government, urging them to halt this practice and revert to the established norm of using English exclusively for bill titles to ensure clarity and inclusivity.
Broader Implications for India's Linguistic Harmony
This incident is not an isolated debate but taps into a deep-seated and recurring tension in Indian politics—the balance between promoting Hindi and respecting regional linguistic identities. States in South India, East India, and the North-East have historically been sensitive to any perceived imposition of Hindi, viewing it as a threat to their cultural and administrative autonomy.
Chidambaram's statement, therefore, resonates beyond the corridors of Parliament. It echoes the concerns of millions who communicate in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, and other languages. The criticism frames the issue not just as a procedural lapse, but as a symbolic move that could alienate a significant portion of the citizenry.
The government has not yet issued an official response to these specific allegations. However, the controversy underscores the delicate nature of language policy in India. It serves as a reminder that while promoting national integration is important, it must not come at the cost of marginalizing the country's rich linguistic diversity. The way this feedback is addressed could set a tone for how language is used in official documents and communications in the future.
