Abu Azmi takes Hindi fight to SC

Denied a Hindi copy of the state legislature’s agenda, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi plans to take the issue to the Supreme Court.

Denied a Hindi copy of the state legislature’s agenda, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi plans to take the issue to the Supreme Court. In November, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) MLAs had assaulted him inside the House for taking the Assembly oath in Hindi.

HT Image

During the last session of the legislature, in a letter to Anant Kalse, principal secretary, state legislature, Azmi had asked for the Assembly agenda in Hindi instead of English. The Legislature has no provision for Hindi translations, and his request was rejected.

“I’ve been told through a letter from the state legislature that I can only get the governor’s speech in Hindi, the rest will be available in either English or Marathi. Why should Hindi get such step-motherly treatment?” Azmi asked.

He now plans to file a case against those state officials in charge of the legislature’s administrative work.

“English seems to have become the language of the queen, Hindi is treated like a maid. It should be the other way round,” Azmi said.

He said the Parliament Commission and Committee on Official Languages should intervene.

“I will make a representation to them and see that the national language gets some priority,” he added. Reacting to the threat letter written to MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Azmi called it a publicity stunt to get more security cover from the state.