Opposition Accuses Govt of Covert Hindi Imposition Through New Bills

New Delhi: A fresh political storm has erupted in Parliament with the Opposition accusing the government of subtly imposing Hindi through the nomenclature of new bills and laws. The controversy ignited during the debate on the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024, which seeks to replace the existing Aircraft Act of 1934.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh was among the most vocal critics, alleging that the government’s penchant for renaming laws, such as the Indian Penal Code to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, is a deliberate attempt at Hindi imposition. She questioned the rationale behind using Hindi names for laws, especially when Article 348 of the Constitution mandates the use of English.

DMK MP Kanimozhi N.V.N Somu echoed similar sentiments, urging the government to refrain from naming legislations solely in Hindi. She stressed that such actions could alienate non-Hindi speaking populations.

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain also expressed concern, arguing that the Bill’s name should not be exclusively in Hindi, as a significant portion of the population does not speak the language.

While defending the government’s decision, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu acknowledged that the name might be difficult to pronounce for some. However, he maintained that it was not a cause for shame.

Beyond the language debate, the Opposition also targeted the government’s handling of the civil aviation sector. DMK MP Kanimozhi criticized the growing dominance of private players, asserting that the government had abdicated its responsibility. CPI(M) MP A.A. Rahim further alleged that the sector is controlled by a few powerful conglomerates, leading to rising airfares and reduced consumer choice. AAP MP Raghav Chadha also highlighted the exorbitant costs of air travel and the lack of adequate compensation for flight delays and cancellations.