Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a scathing attack on the opposition Samajwadi Party for opposing the introduction of four regional languages of the state and English for the conduct of the proceedings of the state assembly.
Yogi also announced the establishment of Language Academies for Bhojpuri, Braj, Bundeli, and the Sant Tulsidas Academy for the Awadhi Language.
“These people will educate their children in English-medium schools, but if the government wants to provide the same opportunity to others, they say no—teach them Urdu instead. Their agenda is to make children ‘kathmulla’ and ‘maulvis’ and push the country towards fundamentalism. This double standard cannot continue,” the CM said on Tuesday.
Yogi unveiled a new policy allowing legislators to express their views in regional dialects, including Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Bundeli, and Braj, during assembly proceedings.
The announcement, made in the legislative assembly, emphasises the state’s rich linguistic diversity and aims to ensure that all members, irrespective of their fluency in Hindi, can actively participate in discussions. He highlighted the significance of these dialects in Uttar Pradesh, stressing their growing recognition.
He stated, “Different dialects of the state—Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Braj, and Bundelkhandi—are gaining recognition in this House. Our government is also working towards establishing academies for each of these languages. This House is not meant only for literary and grammar scholars.”
He criticised the opposition from the SP to the government’s initiatives and stated, “This is the problem with you people, and you (Samajwadi Party) will oppose every good work which is in the interest of the state. This type of opposition should be condemned.”
Welcoming the inclusion of local dialects in assembly proceedings, the chief minister emphasised the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting these languages, recognising them as sub-languages of Hindi.
“Our government is establishing separate academies for these languages to ensure their growth. They are daughters of Hindi and deserve their rightful respect. This House is not just for scholars; every section of society must have its voice heard,” CM Yogi stated.
Criticising those opposing Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Braj, and Bundelkhandi, he said they are, in essence, against Uttar Pradesh’s cultural heritage.
Taking aim at the Samajwadi Party, he asserted that their character has become duplicitous. Emphasising the richness of Braj language, Yogi highlighted that Sant Surdas composed his divine verses in this language, while Sant Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, which became a spiritual guide not only for North India but also for NRIs in times of crisis.
“It is unfortunate that at a time when these languages are receiving the respect they deserve, some people are protesting against it,” he added.
He pointed out that when the assembly secretariat recognised local languages, the SP opposed even that decision.
He added that the public is fully aware of SP’s double standards, and such hypocrisy should be exposed before society.
“It is our responsibility to preserve our mother tongues and promote them. The opposition’s stand clearly shows they are not just against development but also against our culture,” he remarked.
Contradicting the opposition’s charge that the English language is being imposed on the assembly, the CM said, “There is no question of imposition of any language; only an enabling provision has been made.”
The leader of opposition, Mata Prasad, however, countered the CM, saying, “Yogi Adityanath is misleading the House by twisting the issue and giving it a communal turn.”
“We are not against the introduction of regional languages of UP; Urdu and Sanskrit should also be added as it would enhance harmony. Many Muslim members speak in Urdu, and there should be simultaneous translation in Urdu and Sanskrit as planned for four regional languages and English,” Pandey said.
