The Uttar Pradesh Assembly’s Budget Session opened with a fierce verbal clash between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Samajwadi Party (SP), reflecting deeper ideological and cultural divisions. The debate erupted when SP Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey objected to proceedings being conducted in regional languages such as Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Braj, and Bundelkhandi – along with English – while demanding the inclusion of Urdu.
समाजवादियों का चरित्र दोहरा हो चुका है,
ये अपने बच्चों को पढ़ाएंगे इंग्लिश स्कूल में और दूसरों के बच्चों के लिए कहेंगे उर्दू पढ़ाओ…
उसको मौलवी बनाना चाहते हैं, ‘कठमुल्लापन’ की ओर देश को ले जाना चाहते हैं,
ये नहीं चल सकता है… pic.twitter.com/8RGaWJdY1h
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) February 18, 2025
Responding to the demand for Urdu, CM Yogi Adityanath lashed out at the SP, accusing it of having a dual approach. “You send your children to English-medium schools, but when the government wants to provide the same opportunity to others, you oppose it. Instead, you want to teach them Urdu and turn them into maulvis, taking the country towards fundamentalism. This will not work,” he declared.
His remarks were aimed at the long-standing pattern of political parties favouring Urdu and Islamic studies while ignoring India’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage rooted in Sanatan Dharma. The CM’s comments align with the BJP’s larger vision of promoting India’s indigenous languages and traditional knowledge systems over colonial and foreign influences.
When Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana explained that members could express themselves in any of the approved regional languages, Pandey strongly opposed the inclusion of English but insisted that Urdu must be added.
“If English is included, why not Urdu?” he asked, indicating SP’s commitment to Urdu as a political tool for appeasement.
In response, Adityanath hit back, questioning the opposition’s priorities. “They refuse to speak in Hindi, Bhojpuri, or Awadhi, yet they advocate for Urdu. What kind of conduct is this?” he asked.
The CM further accused the SP of pushing an agenda that discourages the study of Hindu scriptures and ancient knowledge while promoting Urdu-centric education. He pointed out that Sant Surdas composed his works in Brajbhasha, and Sant Tulsidas wrote the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, both of which played a crucial role in preserving Sanatan culture.
“It is ironic that those who once opposed these languages are now resisting their rightful place in governance. Those who reject Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Braj, and Bundelkhandi are actually against the cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh,” he added.
The Yogi government has been actively working to restore and promote indigenous languages that are deeply tied to India’s Hindu and Sanatan traditions. The establishment of Bhojpuri, Awadhi, and Braj academies is a step toward reviving regional dialects that have long been neglected.
“Our languages are the daughters of Hindi, and protecting them is our duty. This House represents all sections of society, and their voices must be heard,” Adityanath said. His stance aligns with the broader movement to decolonise education and governance by embracing Bharatiya traditions over foreign influences.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna reinforced the government’s stand, clarifying that English was not being imposed but made available for accessibility. The inclusion of English is a practical measure, while Urdu, often seen as a symbol of historical Islamic rule, is not a regional language of Uttar Pradesh and does not represent the majority culture.
This debate is not just about linguistic inclusion but a larger ideological struggle. While the BJP champions Sanatan Dharma, Indian traditions, and the revival of Hindu cultural heritage, opposition parties like the SP have historically leaned towards policies that are perceived as appeasement-driven. The demand for Urdu translation is seen by the BJP as an attempt to prioritise a language associated with Mughal-era rule over native languages that have shaped India’s spiritual and cultural ethos.
By opposing Bhojpuri, Awadhi, and Braj – languages deeply connected with Hindu sants and scriptures, while insisting on Urdu, the SP is reinforcing its political strategy of appeasement rather than embracing India’s diverse and ancient heritage.
With Yogi Adityanath’s strong rebuttal, the BJP has once again positioned itself as the defender of Sanatan culture and linguistic pride, while exposing what it calls the “double-faced” politics of the opposition. The language debate in the UP Assembly is not just a policy issue – it is a reflection of the larger cultural battle shaping India’s political landscape today.
