Controversy erupts in Lok Sabha over Hindi title of new Aviation Bill
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New Delhi: A proposed overhaul of India’s aviation regulations encountered significant controversy in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday due to its Hindi title.
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, introduced by Civil Aviation Minister Ramamohan Naidu, faced opposition from Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N.K. Premachandran. Premachandran argued that the Bill’s title contravenes constitutional requirements that mandate the use of English for parliamentary bills.
Premachandran cited Articles 348(1B), 120, and 340 of the Constitution, as well as Section 3 of the Official Languages Act, as the basis for his objections. “The previous Aircraft Bill was in English, and so is the content of this Bill. However, the government’s decision to rename it in Hindi raises concerns. For many South Indians, pronouncing Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak is challenging. I question the Bill’s legislative competence,” he said.
He stressed that parliamentary bills should be in English to ensure clarity and adherence to constitutional norms.
In his defense, Naidu argued that the concerns had been previously addressed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita. He defended the use of Hindi in the Bill’s title as part of a broader initiative to strengthen national identity. “The Bill’s text is in English. There is no constitutional breach,” Naidu asserted.
Naidu further explained that the Aircraft Bill, originating from the British era, had been amended 21 times, leading to confusion and redundancy. The new legislation aims to streamline the regulations and incorporate guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to which India is a signatory.
This debate highlights the ongoing clash between traditional legislative practices and the push for national identity through language, reflecting India's rich and varied linguistic landscape.