Opposition points to new bills with only Hindi titles, alleges 'Hindification' of laws
The Hindu
Opposition MPs criticize 'The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024' bill's Hindi title imposition, sparking debate in Rajya Sabha.
Opposition members in Rajya Sabha on Thursday (December 5, 2024) accused the government of imposing Hindi by bringing new bills with titles only in that language, a charge the treasury benches contested while alleging they were stuck with a colonial mindset.
Taking part in the discussion on 'The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024' that seeks to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act to boost the ease of doing business and attract investments in the aviation sector, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose opposed the bill's name while Kanimozhi NVN Somu of DMK asked the government to change its name.
"Why do so many laws have Hindi names? This is imposition of Hindi. The mandate of the people in 2024 was for diversity, dividend, and the federal principle but the government is persisting in the 'Hindification' of laws. This is Hindi imposition," Ms. Ghose asserted.
She further said the Indian Penal Code has been changed to Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Indian Aircraft Act has now been changed to Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak.
Expressing similar sentiments, DMK member Kanimozhi NVN Somu said, "I would like the Union government to change the title of the bill to Aircraft Bill 2024. Don't try to impose Hindi on people who don't speak Hindi. I request the Union government to refrain from naming bills in Hindi and Sanskrit." S Niranjan Reddy of YRSCP also asked the government to reconsider the "nomenclature" of the bill, not because he is opposing 'Hindi imposition' but saying there is a constitutional requirement that since it has been brought in English and the title cannot be in Hindi.
"We are now going to have the possibility of a constitutional court, a high court or the Supreme Court striking down this part saying that this part is unconstitutional because Article 348 (1B) requires authoritative text to be in English," Reddy said.
He further said Parliament can have the authoritative text in Hindi also, entirety of the authoritative text can be in Hindi, from the title to every single word can be in Hindi.
The Karnataka government has drafted a comprehensive master plan for the integrated development of Kukke Subrahmanya temple, the State’s highest revenue-generating temple managed by the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department. The redevelopment initiative is estimated to cost around ₹254 crore and aims to enhance infrastructure and facilities for devotees.
Advocates in North Andhra unite for agitations to establish a High Court Bench in Visakhapatnam.
Telangana government leads rescue efforts for trapped workers in collapsed tunnel, with support from various agencies and experts.
Congress leaders in Karnataka continue public discourse on Chief Minister change despite central leadership intervention, urging unity and discipline.
Suvendu Adhikari demands NRC implementation in West Bengal amid concerns over 'false voters' raised by Mamata Banerjee.
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has booked 112 cases against the unnecessary wastage of drinking water collecting fines up to ₹5.6 lakh in the last week.
East Coast Railway extends Bhubaneswar-Yasvantpur weekly special train services with nine additional trips for passenger convenience.
Over 1,400 pilgrims from coastal Karnataka complete Maha Kumbh Mela yatra via special train with some shortcomings.
Divine Touch School walkathon promotes fitness and gratitude with Police Commissioner as chief guest at Ramakrishna Beach.
MSRTC bus service between Maharashtra and Karnataka suspended indefinitely due to safety concerns after driver assault in Karnataka.
District police conduct extensive cordon and search operations to maintain law and order during Maha Sivaratri celebrations in Sri Sathya Sai district.
The rise in gold prices in recent months has severely hit the families who have marriages scheduled in the next few days in Tiruchi
Congress government in Telangana focuses on skill development, job creation, and empowerment, facing opposition from BJP and BRS.