New Delhi: On February 11, 2025, in a significant step towards promoting linguistic inclusivity and strengthening India’s democratic framework, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the addition of six new languages to the Parliament’s translation services. The newly included languages are Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, and Urdu. This move aims to make parliamentary debates and proceedings more accessible to a broader spectrum of India’s diverse linguistic communities. With this expansion, the total number of languages covered in Lok Sabha translation services has increased, reinforcing India’s multilingual parliamentary democracy.
Background: Translation Services in Parliament
Prior to this expansion, Lok Sabha provided translation services in 10 regional languages, in addition to Hindi and English. These included Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu. The addition of six more languages is part of a larger effort to eventually provide translation services for all 22 languages recognized under Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution.
Om Birla emphasized that this initiative has been widely appreciated at international platforms, as India’s Parliament is among the very few in the world to provide translation services in multiple languages. The Speaker reaffirmed the commitment to expand these services further as more human resources become available.
Key Highlights of the Announcement
- Newly Added Languages: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, and Urdu.
- Existing Languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, along with Hindi and English.
- Goal: To eventually provide translation services for all 22 Schedule 8 languages.
- Global Recognition: India’s effort to promote multilingual inclusivity has been praised by international forums.
- Controversy: DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran raised concerns over the inclusion of Sanskrit, citing its limited spoken use.
The Sanskrit Controversy: Opposition and Counterarguments
The inclusion of Sanskrit in the translation services sparked debate in the Parliament. DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran strongly opposed the decision, questioning the relevance of Sanskrit as a spoken language. He argued that as per the 2011 Census, only about 73,000 people in India reported Sanskrit as their spoken language, making it one of the least spoken languages in the country. Maran criticized the move, calling it a waste of taxpayers’ money, and accused the ruling party of pushing an ideological agenda rather than serving practical needs.
In response, Speaker Om Birla defended the decision, asserting that Sanskrit is India’s “Mool Bhasha” (root language) and holds significant historical and cultural value. He countered Maran’s argument by emphasizing that the initiative aims to provide inclusivity for all 22 constitutionally recognized languages, not just Sanskrit.
Political Reactions and Heated Exchanges
The announcement led to heated discussions in Parliament, with members from the ruling party and the opposition clashing over the necessity and practicality of including Sanskrit. Supporters of the move argue that Sanskrit plays a crucial role in India’s literary, religious, and philosophical traditions, making its inclusion a symbolic step towards preserving cultural heritage.
On the other hand, critics, including some opposition MPs, maintained that public resources should be used to support languages with a larger number of speakers, ensuring better representation and practical benefits for a broader audience.
Significance of Expanding Language Coverage in Lok Sabha
The inclusion of more languages in Parliamentary translation services is a significant step towards ensuring better communication, comprehension, and participation in legislative discussions. India, being a diverse nation with multiple linguistic groups, requires a robust mechanism to ensure that all elected representatives can express their views in their mother tongues.
Benefits of This Initiative
- Enhancing Inclusivity:
- The move ensures that more Members of Parliament (MPs) can engage effectively in debates without language barriers.
- Strengthening Federalism:
- By recognizing more regional languages, the central government acknowledges India’s linguistic diversity, strengthening the federal structure.
- Improving Legislative Efficiency:
- When MPs can communicate comfortably in their preferred languages, it leads to better policy discussions and clearer legislative processes.
- Boosting Global Reputation:
- India’s effort to provide multilingual translation in Parliament has been praised internationally, reinforcing the country’s democratic ethos.
The Road Ahead: Future Plans for Language Expansion
Speaker Om Birla reiterated that the ultimate goal is to provide simultaneous translation services in all 22 Scheduled languages. However, the expansion is contingent upon the availability of human resources. This means that as more trained translators and interpreters are recruited, additional languages will be included in the system.
Challenges in Expanding Translation Services
While the initiative is commendable, it also presents several challenges:
- Human Resource Constraints:
- Recruiting skilled translators and interpreters for all 22 languages is a resource-intensive process.
- Technological Infrastructure:
- The Parliament will need to invest in advanced simultaneous interpretation technology to ensure smooth translation services without disruptions.
- Political and Ideological Debates:
- The inclusion of certain languages over others can continue to be a topic of contention among political parties.
Conclusion: A Step Towards a More Inclusive Democracy
The extension of translation services in Lok Sabha marks a progressive step towards linguistic inclusivity and accessibility in Indian democracy. Despite the controversy surrounding Sanskrit’s inclusion, the broader initiative reflects the commitment to recognizing and integrating India’s linguistic diversity into governance.
With plans to expand translation services to all 22 Scheduled languages, this move will empower more MPs to participate actively in legislative debates while reinforcing the federal and multicultural nature of India’s democracy. As India continues to embrace technological advancements and linguistic inclusivity, the initiative is likely to set a precedent for other democratic institutions worldw
FAQs
1. Why has Lok Sabha expanded its translation services to six more languages?
Lok Sabha expanded its translation services to Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, and Urdu to promote linguistic inclusivity and enhance accessibility for Members of Parliament. This move aligns with India’s diverse linguistic heritage and the goal of eventually covering all 22 languages recognized under Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution. It ensures that MPs can communicate in their native languages, fostering better debates and policymaking.
2. What were the languages previously available for translation in Parliament?
Before this expansion, Lok Sabha offered translation services in 10 languages, apart from Hindi and English. These languages included:
Telugu
Assamese
Bengali
Gujarati
Kannada
Malayalam
Marathi
Odia
Punjabi
Tamil
3. Why is there controversy surrounding the inclusion of Sanskrit?
The inclusion of Sanskrit in the translation services sparked a debate, primarily led by DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, who questioned its relevance as a widely spoken language. He pointed out that, according to the 2011 Census, only around 73,000 people reported speaking Sanskrit. Critics argue that taxpayer money should be used for languages with larger speaker bases, while proponents highlight Sanskrit’s historical and cultural significance as India’s root language (Mool Bhasha).
4. How does this initiative benefit India’s democracy and governance?
Expanding translation services in Parliament provides multiple benefits:
Global recognition: India’s parliamentary system is praised internationally for its multilingual inclusivity.
Greater participation: MPs can speak in their native languages, making debates more inclusive.
Stronger federalism: Recognizing more regional languages strengthens India’s linguistic diversity.
Improved legislative efficiency: MPs can articulate their points clearly in their preferred languages.
5. Will all 22 Scheduled languages be included in the future?
Yes, Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the goal is to cover all 22 languages listed in Schedule 8 of the Constitution. However, expansion depends on human resource availability, as trained translators and interpreters are required for effective implementation. The government is working toward achieving this milestone gradually.
5. Will all 22 Scheduled languages be included in the future?
Yes, Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the goal is to cover all 22 languages listed in Schedule 8 of the Constitution. However, expansion depends on human resource availability, as trained translators and interpreters are required for effective implementation. The government is working toward achieving this milestone gradually.
6. What challenges does the expansion of translation services face?
While this initiative is progressive, it also presents certain challenges:
Political and ideological disagreements over prioritizing certain languages over others.
Limited availability of trained translators for some languages.
High costs associated with hiring language experts and maintaining real-time translation services.
Technological constraints, requiring sophisticated interpretation infrastructure in Parliament.
