Nagaland: Government, opposition wrangle over ‘historic’ Hindi speech

Morung Express News
Kohima | March 24  

When Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad addressed the first day of the budget session in Hindi, a first in non-Hindi speaking Meghalaya, it created an uproar in the State Assembly, especially from the opposition.  

Saturday’s proceeding of the ongoing first session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly also faced a similar scenario when newly elect Minister for Higher Education and Technical Education, Temjen Imna Along attempted to speak in Hindi.  

Not only did it spark indignation from members of the opposition, but the episode also became a first of sorts for a member of the NLA in the attempt to import the Hindi language in the Assembly.   While participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, the first time Legislator began his speech seeking permission from the Speaker to speak a few words in Hindi to congratulate the Padma Shri Awardee M Piyongtemjen Jamir.  

To which, MLA Imkong Imchen stood up and requested for interpretation in English, followed by MLA Chotisuh Sazo who stated, “Under the Section 28 and 29 of the NLA rules of Business, the business of the Assembly shall be transacted in English or in Naga-Assamese. Provided if any member cannot express himself in any of the languages aforesaid he may address the Assembly in this mother tongue, provided further that he shall make over in advance a copy of such speech in the Secretary written in English.”  

However, the Minister requested that he will take only a minute to speak in Hindi and continued to do so. Later after completing his speech, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio spoke in the Minister’s defence stating that the young Minister had already sent his request to the Speaker in advance before the Assembly proceedings.  

Following which Imkong L Imchen, recommended that a workshop must be conducted to orient the new legislators on the rules and proceedings of the Assembly. Meanwhile a bureaucrat commented that the Imna’s speech was ‘Historical’ while another observer stated that Imna’s speech was ‘not exactly Hindi but Urdu.’