Glitch sparks language row in Lok Sabha

Tuesday’s Lok Sabha session turned into a language debate after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Hindi speech faced opposition due to a translation glitch. Opposition MPs objected as the live feed lacked English translation. Dubey retorted, “I’ll speak Hindi. English is foreign. If you asked for Tamil or Bangla, I’d agree!”

As tempers flared, Deputy Speaker Dilip Saikia urged calm, citing technical issues. Dubey then criticised the Opposition, saying, “When someone spoke Bengali, no one protested. Why this Hindi allergy? Tamil is great, but the Congress have a problem with North Indians.” He added sarcastically, “Soon, we’ll all become England’s slaves.”

The translation resumed, but in Tamil, not English, sparking more protests. Saikia appealed, “Please listen in Tamil, it’s India’s pride.” Later, DMK’s Raja spoke in English, but this time BJP MPs weren’t interested. Raja said, “Hindi nahi aata hai,” before continuing.