Unhappy with Union Minister's reply in 'Hindi', John Brittas MP writes letter in 'Malayalam'

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written a letter in Malayalam to Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industry Ravneet Singh Bittu in protest over responses given only in Hindi in Parliament.

Brittas sent the letter a day after Kerala observed its birth anniversary of the state. In his letter, the CPM leader criticized the use of Hindi as deliberate and stated that he felt compelled to respond in Malayalam. He noted that he is not alone in this sentiment, as other MPs from southern states are experiencing similar issues.

Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu's replies to Brittas' questions were provided solely in Hindi. Brittas also forwarded the letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressing concern that the practice of responding only in Hindi could negatively impact the participation of MPs who speak other languages in parliamentary proceedings.

"We have always been fighting against the move to impose Hindi on South Indian states. There is a deliberate attempt to impose Hindi on south Indian MPs. This particular minister, Ravneet Singh Bittu has been consistently writing letters in Hindi not just to me but to all the South Indian MPs. We feel that there is an intent behind such Hindi letters. We feel that the only way to respond to such haphazard actions by ministers is to respond in our own language. This is not only a protest but the only way...He needs to respect the sentiments of the people...," Brittas told ANI.