SHRI CHANDRA SHEKHAR (Ballia, U.P.) :

Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, just now my colleague Shri Prabhunath was asking me to speak on the subject. I am not being able to understand the way Government is taking this country. It is being said that 35-36 languages should be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. We had promised to make Hindi as an alternative language, it has not become an alternative language, but we are trying to include 35 more languages.

Voices are emerging from every nook and corner to include their language in the Eighth Schedule. Adivasis have their own language, Bengalis are having different language, Bhojpuri area of Uttar Pradesh is having different language. I too speak Bhojpuri and I am more versed in Bhojpuri, than most of the people over here who claim to speak Bhojpuri, but I understand that to raise such a demand in the Parliament and assurance by the Government in this regard is not right. As this Government is very quick in giving assurance, therefore this kind of demand is made.

Sir, I would like to request the hon. Minister that instead of giving assurances, he should work for the development of Hindi, and people who want to develop these languages and dialects should also work for the development of these languages and dialects. Shri Prabhunath is working very well in this direction, he should continue to work for the development of Bhojpuri, but should not try to include it in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.