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Updated July 15th, 2019 at 16:45 IST

MDMK chief Vaiko triggers language debate, says use of Hindi brought down standard of debate in Parliament

MDMK chief Vaiko on Sunday gave an interview to a daily where he said that the use of Hindi in Parliament had brought down the standard of debates in the House. 

Reported by: Apoorva Rao
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MDMK chief Vaiko on Sunday gave an interview to a daily where he said that the use of Hindi in Parliament had brought down the standard of debates in the House. 

He was asked in the interview why the standard of debates in Parliament had fallen. He replied placing the blame solely on the use of the language Hindi. 

READ | "Made With An Intent To Deceive": MK Stalin On Centre's Revision Of 3-language Formula Draft That Invited 'Hindi Imposition'

He said that the standard of debates has come down in this day and age because of Hindi, adding that lawmakers 'only shout in Hindi'. He also said that former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh spoke in English adding that it was only PM Narendra Modi who spoke in the Parliament in Hindi and took objection to that. 

While speaking to ANI, he asserted his opinion on Hindi saying:

"I get the motivation from great veterans. From Nehru to Manmohan, all used to address in English to address other states also. Of course, they knew Hindi, but they wanted to treat members of Parliament with equal respect. But what literature is there in Hindi. It is like a railway guide. Hindi has no roots, Sanskrit is dead language people might get angry but that's the truth. Implementation of Hindi has led to deterioration of politics and level of debates. And the main reason is the imposition of Hindi. Hindi, Hindu and Hindu Rastra will divide the nation that's my view," he said.

READ | Postal Department Exams To Be Conducted In Hindi Or English, Not In Regional Languages: Government Notification

Controversy over Draft National Educational Policy

In June, there was a controversy over the Draft National Educational Policy. The Centre was forced to revised it as it had recommended Hindi learning mandatory in schools of non-Hindi speaking states, and suggested a three-language formula without naming Hindi. As per the Draft National Educational Policy, a three-language formula was recommended the inclusion of English and Hindi besides mother tongue in non-Hindi speaking states, while Hindi-speaking states were to include English and an Indian language from other parts of the country. Many leaders from non-Hindi states, especially Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, had opposed the policy.

READ | 'Hindi Imposition Nothing But An Assault On Our States': Siddaramaiah Rages Against The Centre's 3-language Formula In National Education Policy 2019 Draft

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Published July 15th, 2019 at 16:06 IST

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