New Delhi has seen heated debates lately over the NDA government’s choice to name new bills mostly in Hindi. This shift has raised concerns, especially among officials from southern states where Hindi is not the primary language.
A recent example is the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, introduced in Lok Sabha. This bill is intended to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA).
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also presented a bill aimed at reforming higher education, named the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill. Meanwhile, another bill called Sabka Bima, Sabki Raksha aims to change existing insurance laws. Previously, several laws, including the Indian Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, were replaced with titles in Hindi, like Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
During the winter session of Parliament, many MPs voiced their concerns about this trend. RSP(A) leader N.K. Premachandran found the Hindi names hard to pronounce, while others argued it conflicts with Article 348 of the Constitution, which mandates that legal titles should be in English until otherwise determined by Parliament.
Prominent Congress leader P. Chidambaram highlighted the importance of maintaining clarity in legal matters. He noted that the traditional practice of providing both Hindi and English titles had worked for 75 years.
This debate is not just about language; it’s a reflection of the ongoing struggle over cultural identity in a diverse country like India. As bilingualism becomes ever more critical, the push for inclusive communication continues to gain traction.
In a recent survey by the Indian Language Technology Platform, 73% of respondents believed that government communication should be available in multiple languages, showcasing the public’s desire for clarity and accessibility in governance.
As this conversation unfolds, it reinforces the need for balanced communication that respects India’s linguistic diversity while maintaining legal clarity. For more insights on the implications of language policies, check out this report from the Indian Journal of Language and Law.
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