“Can’t Learn Hindi Now, Read My Reply in Malayalam”: Kerala MP to Minister Bittu
Kerala’s CPI(M) MP, John Brittas, has publicly criticised Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu’s practice of communicating with him in Hindi. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Brittas shared his frustration, stating, “It has been a norm and precedent that letters addressed from Union Govt to South MPs are written in English. Lately, however, that’s not the case, and Ravneet Singh Bittu makes it a point to write exclusively in Hindi. I am compelled to reply to him in Malayalam!”
Brittas, a Rajya Sabha member from Kerala, addressed his concerns directly in a formal letter to Bittu, who is currently serving as the Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries. In his letter, Brittas pointed out that despite the usual convention of English for official communication, Bittu has persistently chosen to respond in Hindi. Brittas criticised this decision, asserting that neither he nor his South Indian colleagues would be learning Hindi merely to interpret these official letters.
In the letter, Brittas expressed his disappointment: “You have been sending replies to Rajya Sabha questions in Hindi, which I am unable to read. Though I can speak and understand some Hindi, I lack the proficiency to read it. I am aware that you have been sending similar letters to other South Indian MPs who are also not well-versed in Hindi.”
Highlighting the official protocol, Brittas referenced the Official Languages Act of 1963, specifically Article 3, which mandates the use of both Hindi and English for official communication, with English being used particularly for communication with non-Hindi-speaking regions. Additionally, he reminded Bittu that English is required for parliamentary correspondence. According to Brittas, the decision to communicate solely in Hindi not only contravenes established norms but also disregards the diversity of India.
Brittas wrote, “Hindi is one among the 22 languages in our constitution’s Eighth Schedule, reflecting India’s linguistic diversity. It has been our policy and practice to use both Hindi and English in official correspondence, especially when addressing South Indians. This is a blatant violation of that rule.”
Brittas concluded by asserting that his response in Malayalam was deliberate, given Bittu’s repeated use of Hindi in correspondence. He expressed hope that Bittu would attempt to read the letter in Malayalam, just as he faces challenges with Hindi responses.
It has been a norm and precedent that letters addressed from Union Govt to south MPs are written in English. Lately however that’s not the case, and @RavneetBittu makes it a point to write exclusively in Hindi. Am compelled to reply him in Malayalam!@AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/Yf2uvi4WLz
— John Brittas (@JohnBrittas) November 3, 2024
