Azmi's Hindi hain hum battle cry muted

SP leader to approach high court after being told that except for particular instances, House correspondence cannot be provided to MLAs in Hindi

SP leader to approach high court after being told that except for particular instances, House correspondence cannot be provided to MLAs in Hindi

Abu Asim Azmi is a dejected man. The Samajwadi Party MLA, who had demanded that proceedings in the Vidhan Bhawan should be conducted in Hindi, was informed yesterday that it wouldn't be possible.

According to Azmi, "Maharashtra Legislative Assembly secretary Anant Kalse wrote to me and informed that except for things like the governor's address and correspondence from Parliament, no other material can be provided in Hindi."

An irate Azmi has now decided to file a petition with the Bombay High Court against the secretary's decision to not accede to his request.

SP Mumbai spokesperson Abdul Kadir Chaudhury said, "Except for providing the two things in Hindi, the secretary has pointed out that every other business of the House will be provided to the MLAs either in English or Marathi.

Hai Re! Abu Azmi

This is ridiculous, when the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly rules clearly mention that the agenda and business of the House could be provided in Hindi, Marathi or English."

He added, "Azmi will approach the court to seek support for his request, as Hindi speakers number the second highest after Marathi speakers in Maharashtra."

Azmi had attracted the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) ire when he demanded the House agenda in Hindi in October.

In an unprecedented incident, he was slapped and beaten up by MNS MLAs when he began taking oath in Hindi inside the Assembly on November 9. Four MLAs were suspended after the incident.

18.7%
The approximate number of Hindi speakers in Maharashtra, according to the 2001 census

Go To Up: Raj

After SP MLA Abu Azmi demanded the Assembly agenda in Hindi, MNS chief Raj Thackeray shot back and said, "If Azmi wants the House agenda in Hindi, then he should go to Uttar Pradesh." Raj had demanded that all 288 MLAs should take oath in Marathi. Azmi insists he has nothing against Marathi and that he respects the local language.