Lok Sabha witnesses heated conversation between Sushma Swaraj, Shashi Tharoor over Hindi language: Take a look here

New Delhi, January 3: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj strongly criticized Congress leader Shashi Tharoor over his comments on Hindi language and said that it is his misconception if he believes Hindi is just limited to India.

 

Notably, today in Lok Sabha there was a heated conversation between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor over the Hindi language. Shashi Tharoor asked the government for what purpose is being served by trying to make Hindi an official language in United Nation. He said, "I understand the Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister can speak in Hindi but what if a future External Affairs Minister comes from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, who couldn't speak in the language."

In reply to this, Minister Sushma Swaraj said Hindi is not just limited to India, unlike what Tharoor alleged. "Its your misconception, if you believe only in India people, speak Hindi," The External Affairs Minister added. She said Hindi is being spoken in several other countries including Mauritius, Fiji etc. rather than India and Indians settled abroad are speaking in Hindi.

Earlier, an MP wanted to know if the government has taken any steps to make Hindi the official language of UN. To this, Minister Sushma Swaraj said that the process requires voting passed with a two-thirds majority and the countries using Hindi should share the expenditure incurred in making the language an official language.

"We are ready to spend. But smaller countries such as Mauritius won't be able to pay. We are negotiating with them," the Minister added. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha was adjourned for a day.