India does not need a national language, says KTR
He believes that with 22 official languages and over 300 unofficial ones, India's diversity is its strength. 'Language is not just a tool of communication - it's our cultural identity. I'm not enforcing Telugu on you, so why enforce Hindi on me?' he asked while participating in a discussion on 'The North-South Divide in Indian Politics' at the 9th edition of Talk Journalism in Jaipur on Sunday.
Stating that India has carried on for more than 70 years without a national language, he said there was no need for a change now.
KTR, as the BRS leader is popularly known, made a powerful case for protecting the federal structure of India, warning against the growing centralisation of power and resources in the Hindi heartland at the expense of southern states.
He stressed that representation in Parliament must not be dictated purely by population numbers. He added that the southern states, which have implemented population control and contributed significantly to the nation's economy, should not be punished for their discipline.
KTR cited data showing that while southern states like Kerala limited population growth to just 69 per cent since 1950, Uttar Pradesh witnessed a staggering 239 per cent rise. This demographic imbalance, he warned, is now set to translate into a political imbalance through the proposed delimitation exercise, which could see South India lose parliamentary seats even as North India gains.
'Population alone cannot be the basis for the redistribution of seats or delimitation. It will lead to the centralisation of policies and fiscal resources. The more political parties start feeling that the Hindi belt will decide who becomes the Prime Minister, the entire focus will be on making policies that suit the Hindi belt, and the rest of India will be left in the lurch,' KTR cautioned.
Citing unfulfilled promises made by the BJP-led Union government, such as the increase in Assembly seats in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh under the AP Reorganisation Act, KTR questioned the Centre's credibility. 'They hurriedly increased seats in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam for political gains, but ignored South India. Why should we trust them now on delimitation?' he asked.
The BRS leader also raised concerns over recent controversies around electoral roll revisions in Bihar. He noted allegations of nearly 5 lakh voters being struck off the rolls, warning that such practices undermine India's democratic foundations.
'This is deeply worrying. In the last Bihar elections, the losing margin was just 12,500 votes. What happens if voter suppression decides an election? Even one Indian being denied the right to vote is unacceptable in the world's largest democracy,' he said, calling on the Election Commission of India to act swiftly.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Exclusive: India works diplomatic hotlines from South Africa to Botswana to bring home next batch of cheetahs
Over the past two years, India has been working its diplomatic channels with Botswana, South Africa and Kenya as it navigates a complex set of negotiations to replenish its African cheetah population. Senior members of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have said that talks with South Africa, a key source country, have slowed down following the formation of a new political coalition after general elections there last year. At the same time, Botswana has formally committed to sending four cheetahs, and discussions are underway to finalise timelines. In Kenya, negotiations remain broad, centred on long-term collaboration rather than immediate translocation. As many as 20 cheetahs have already been brought to India as part of the country's ambitious translocation plans. Of these, eight were brought from Namibia in 2022 and 12 from South Africa in early 2023. They were all brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. In April this year, the Madhya Pradesh government announced that eight new cheetahs would be brought from Botswana and that the first four would arrive by May. That is yet to happen. A senior official from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) said, 'We have sought an engagement to work out the logistics. Our High Commission is coordinating to arrive at dates of mutual convenience. The Union Minister concerned has been working on speeding up negotiations with the other countries.' Records of Cheetah Project Steering Committee meetings show that as early as December 13, 2023, the committee was apprised that 'steps have been taken for bringing further cheetahs from Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, and other range countries as well.' However, the NTCA has clarified that as of now, there is 'no arrangement with Sudan or Tanzania'. As for South Africa, with the translocation of 12 cheetahs having already taken place in 2023, experts from the country have been closely associated with India's Cheetah Project. However, the changes in government in the country have led to delays in further discussions to bring more cheetahs to India, officials said. 'In South Africa, there has been a significant change in the government since the last engagement. Hence, the processes are taking time. The new government is going through the nuances and understanding the project,' a senior NTCA official. In 2024, the ruling African National Congress lost its outright majority, which it had enjoyed for over 30 years, and has been in a shaky coalition with the Democratic Alliance that is under threat of collapse over sharp divisions between the two parties. As per the steering committee's meeting records from December 4, 2024, committee adviser S P Yadav said that 'bringing cheetahs from South Africa may take time beyond three months since negotiations are underway'. 'Cheetahs from Kuno National Park need to be translocated to the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary for fostering housekeeping practices. The fresh lot from South Africa are to be housed in Kuno,' Yadav told the committee. The DIG of the NTCA, Dr Vaibhav C Mathur, had in this meeting apprised the committee that a high-level delegation had visited Kenya 'for sourcing of cheetahs' and that action was underway 'for dialogue with governments of Botswana and South Africa on sourcing of cheetahs'. On February 19 this year, the State Chief Wildlife Warden, Shubharanjan Sen, again suggested to the committee that the cheetahs in Kuno be transported in order to 'bring new cheetahs from South Africa'. Mathur had apprised the committee that there was a 'deadlock with South Africa' and that officials were trying to address it. Mathur also told the committee that an MoU with Kenya would be signed in the first week of March. Unlike with Botswana, discussions with Kenya have remained 'generic and overarching', with the focus more on 'capacity building for their staff, use of technology for protection, and similar collaborative efforts,' an NTCA official said. The chairman of the Cheetah Project Steering Committee, Dr Rajesh Gopal, said, 'We are yet to get a fresh stock. In the last steering committee meeting, the Government of India informed us that discussions are ongoing. Several countries are being explored — we haven't narrowed it down to one yet. There are options on the table.' Madhya Pradesh wildlife officials are also involved in on-ground diplomacy. A senior state forest department officer, who was part of a delegation to South Africa, said, 'We have visited South Africa and held discussions with their team. We will soon issue an update after the NTCA delegation clears some issues… There are new officials and we are getting them up to speed with our preparations in Gandhisagar and our success with the project.' After a number of deaths and several births, the cheetah population in Kuno now stands at 26, including nine adult cheetahs (six females and three males) and 17 cubs born in India. Officials said all the remaining cheetahs, including the two males kept at Gandhisagar, are in good health.
India.com
8 minutes ago
- India.com
Monsoon Session LIVE Updates: Parliament To Discuss Op Sindoor, Pahalgam Attack Today After Week-Long Disruptions
Monsoon Session LIVE Updates: The first week of Parliament's Monsoon Session was disrupted by continuous uproar. However, following a consensus between the government and the opposition, discussions on 'Operation Sindoor' will begin in the Lok Sabha today. The debate will be initiated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, and senior BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Nishikant Dubey also expected to participate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may address both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the proceedings. Meanwhile, the opposition is seeking clarification from the government regarding US President Donald Trump's claims about mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, raising the possibility of renewed confrontation in the House during the debate.
New Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Chola kings' statues will be installed in TN: Modi
GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM(ARIYALUR): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that statues of emperors Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola I will be installed in Tamil Nadu. Speaking at an event at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur commemorating 1,000 years of Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition to Southeast Asia and marking the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival at the temple, Modi said, 'While taking pride in the tradition of our Bharat, I take a pledge today that we will install grand statues of King Raja Raja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola I in Tamil Nadu. These statues will become modern pillars of our historical consciousness.' In a 45-minute speech in Hindi, translated into Tamil, Modi spoke at length about the contributions of the Chola emperors and the Shaivite tradition to the country. Referring to the Chola era as one of the golden ages of India, he said,
