I know and you might have observed also that my esteemed friend Shri Indrajit Khuller does not know even whether the term is Gorkha Basha or Gorkhali; when if he knew or since when it became Gorkhali Basha, I do not know.
Even now, if you go to the Library and look for the reference you will find that Nepali word always used; nowhere Gorkha word was used.
It is being coined by few people for their political expediency, a handful of people.
Recently, from Darjeeling all the leaders of the political parties have signed one statement and sent it to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister; all the political parties except GNLF, and GNLF in his own letter, Subhash Ghising has written to the Prime Minister that in Darjeeling there are eight to ten lakh people; in Darjeeling, there is a the Congress Party; there is also the BJP; there is also CPI; then there are CPI (M), Forward Bloc, Gorkha Pranta Parishad 31 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
and recently formed Gorkha Democratic Front. All these parties are supporting Nepali language; and there was difference of opinion within the GNLF also; and one MLA was expelled from the party because he was supporting Nepali language.
MR. SPEAKER: The topic is that the Bill should be introduced.
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: Not only that, in 1991 when the census was carried out for mother tongue, as per report, 99 percent of the people of Darjeeling registered themselves their mother tongue as Nepali. So, Many people were physically intimidated for that by GNLF.
But through their embarrassment, they found out that, even GNLF Councillors their household people, even their wives. parents, they had registered themselves their mother tongue as Nepali.
I was born in Darjeeling. Shri Inderjit visits Darjeeling rarely.
(Interruptions)
SHRI INDER JIT: If you invite me, I shall be happy to accompany you to Darjeeling. (Interruptions)
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE (Bolpur): Why should she? (Interruptions) SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: Is it a parliamentary term?
(Interruptions) I know the feelings of the people of Darjeeling. I have seen my parents, my grand-parents and other people of my village.
They went in a procession to Darjeeling town because we live in tea garden; from there, the people used to go up the hills to reach Darjeeling town shouting.
"Jyan dinchhoun pran
dinchhoun,
Bhasha Hamro linchhoun-
linchhoun
Nepali bhasha amar rahos."
32 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
Then the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri B.C.Roy was not consenting for this, only after Pandit Nehru intervened, he came to terms. So, our people were shouting.
"Bisi roy bhasha khoi."
So, these three slogans
"Jayan dinchhoun pran dinchhoun, Bhasha hamro linchhou-linchhoun.
Nepali bhasha amar rahas Bisi roy bhasha khai."
These slogans still ring in my ears. He does not know all these things. (Interruptions) I am sure, for that matter, he cannot speak in his Punjabi language with that emotion with which I can speak in my language, because he can speak in English only; he does not know his own mother tongue; that much can say I am sure about it.
As he is supporting Subhash Ghising, what about this book? I have to show this because recently one Press was raised in Delhi. I do not know why is the Home Ministry hushing up the matter. This press was raided. (Interruptions) Why is he agitating? I am talking about this book, which was confiscated by Delhi Police. Why is he agitating?
SHRI INDER JIT: I am on a point of order. I want your direction and ruling. Are wediscussing this particular pamplet a copy of which was handed over by Mr. Ghising to the Home Minister and the Home Secretary in my presence? No, no. If we are discussing this, let us discuss it.
12.00 hrs.
If we are discussing this, let us discuss it and I must have a chance to speak on this issue.
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI:
33 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
They have already declared Darjeeling as no-man's land. In parts of Kalimpong, there was a slogan raised: Bhutan Raja Zindabad, Jigme Singye Wang Chuck Zindabad.
MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude, Madam.
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: Because as per their interpretation Kalipong is part of Bhutan and it is a lease-hold land. I request my hon. Colleagues who are in Public Accounts Committee, who visited Sikkim recently. They might have seen that across the Testa Bridge, there is a big hoarding saying "welcome to no-man's land, welcome to lease-hold land." They have already declared it a lease-hold land.
They might recall, because many of the Members have visited that place. Now if a ruling party Member is subscribing to that also, I have my doubts.
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE: This is a point.
MR. SPEAKER: This is a political point.
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: I do not know, what is his stand about it. They have already declared Darjeeling a no-man's land and they want their right also in this country, our motherland, India. I do not know what they are asking for. Even though I had moved a Private Member Bill in this House, when the assurance was given by the Government through Shri M.M. Jacob, I withdrew my Bill.
SHRI HARCHAND SINGH (Ropar): She is advocating for Nepali and is speaking in English....(Interruptions)
[English]
MR. SPEAKER: Madam, do not reply to him. Not necessary to reply this. He is an elderly man, saying some good things.
34 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
[Translation]
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: Sir, during the course of my
speech, I had already thanked the Government for taking moral and just steps. I had also withdrawn my Bill before it.
[English]
There was unanimity so I thought it would get pass. Except for one Member, all the others had supported this Bill. Even now, I do not want to impress anything on anybody, like as my esteemed colleague Shri Inderjit is saying that there is a Gurkha Bhasha and he wants to call my Bhasha as Gurkha Bhasha. I want to say, before the House that our country men have every right to know what we are doing here.
MR. SPEAKER: Madam, please conclude.
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: I will produce works of Nepali literature though it is already proved that Nepali literature is rich.
MR. SPEAKER: No, the question is not that it should not be there; it is about the Bill.
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: I want to say one more thing that I can produce 16-17 books written in Nepali by Shri Subhash Ghisingh and an encyclopaedia of Indian Literature brought out by the Sahitya Academy where Shri Ghisingh has been entered as a Nepali Writer. When it was published, he was so happy that he bought 40 copies of that volume. It cost Rs. 400 per volume. He was so happy that he wanted to distribute it among his friends.
MR. SPEAKER: I think it is adulatory so I am allowing this. I hope that it is not defamatory.
35 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: Even the Indian Constitution is written in Nepali.
MR. SPEAKER: No, please, there are many other subjects which the Members want.
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: I would like to ask my friend Shri Inder Jit if he can produce one book written by Shri Ghisingh in Gorkhali. (Interruptions)
[Translation]
MR. SPEAKER: No, No. A lot of time will be wanted in
interruptions.
[English]
SHRI INDER JIT: Is it fair to mislead the House in regard to what Shri Ghisingh stands for when that gentleman is not present here? She cannot take his name. Shrimati Dil Kumari Bhandari: I want to ask him if he can produce one book written by Shri Ghisingh in Gorkhali.
(Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I will allow you.
(Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Madam, may I request you to conclude? There are other Members who want to raise many other issues. We have already given one hour's time to this. Please do it a little briefly quickly, please.
SHRI SOMNATHCHATTERJEE: What is the Government's decision? What is the Government doing? (Interruptions)
SHRIMATI DIL KUMARI BHANDARI: This amply proves that there is no language called Gorkhali, or Gorkah bhasha as such. So, I would like to know from the Government-as they had promised on the floor of the House, and they had given an assurance
36 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
that a Bill would be brought in this session itself, the word 'itself' was used-whether they are introducing the Bill in this session itself.
I want an assurance on this.
MR. SPEAKER: Now, would you like to hear from the Minister what he wants to say?
(Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: First hear the Minister.
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RANGARAJAN KUMARAMANGALAM): Mr. Speaker, Sir, we had a meeting today of all the parties.
[Translation]
SHRI SURAJ MANDAL (Godda): The Leader of the Opposition did not say even a single word about Santhali language...(Interruptions) Please listen to me. The Minister of parliamentary Affairs should give a reply...
[English]
MR. SPEAKER: This is not a regular debate going on here. Unless I raise my voice nobody is sitting down. It is not correct. You please sit down. Take your seat.
(Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I will allow you. Please sit down. You sit there.
SHRI YAIMA SINGH YUMNAM: I am representing Manipur.
MR. SPEAKER: I will allow you. You please sit there.
37 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
[Translation]
I am standing here and you are still speaking then what can I do.
You want to discuss an issue without giving a prior notice. Thereon, and all the Members want to speak on that. Besides this you want to discuss all other matters and want to seek information from the Government in that regard. How can all these things go on simultaneously? Therefore, you should not stand up frequently during the discussion. I shall regulate it.
[English]
SHRI YAIMA SINGH YUMNAM: I am taking up the question raised by Shri Somnath Chatterjee as to why the Bill is not brought up. That is the point I am raising. On the strength of the assurance given by Shri M.M. Jacob, the Minister of State and also, in addition to that, on the written assurance of the hon. Home Minister, Shri S.B. Chavan, to the Chief Minister of manipur, that the Bill would be introduced during this session itself....
MR. SPEAKER: May I understand that your are for introducing the Bill?
SHRI YAIMA SINGH YUMNAM:...all the agitations in the State have been suspended. They have been kept pending. It is being suspended. I have received a call from the Chief Minister that there will be a flare up and there will be violence, there will be so many things; the State will be on fire. So, on the strength of this assurance, in view of the written assurance given by the hon. Home Minister Shri S.B.
Chavan, we are waiting. Now only one day is left in this Session. If the Bill is not brought before the House in this Session, then it will flare up the whole State of Manipur.
As regards the point raised by Shri Inder Jit, I do not agree with him. I am op-
38 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
posed to Shri Atal Bihai Vajpayee also because we are not free to say anything what we like in the House and we are subject to certain norms.
Is Shri Inder Jit ready to call Manipuri also as a foreign language? (Interruptions)
SHRI INDER JIT: No, it is a national language.
SHRI YAIMA SINGH YUMNAM: Manipur was not a part of the Indian Union and it was merged with the India Union later on ...
(Interruptions)
SHRI INDER JIT: I support his demand. Manipuri is a national language.
SHRI YAIMA SINGH YUMNAM: Likewise, Sikkim was merged with the Indian Union ... (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: All those things are not necessary. Why do you not understand that there are other Members who want to raise other issues?
SHRI YAIMA SINGH YUMNAM: I am requesting you, Sir, to ascertain from the Government, whether the Bill will be brought in this Session ... (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You allow the Government to respond.
SHRI YAIMA SINGH YUMNAM: Sir, the Government should respond to this. It is a question of the nation. It is a question of the State.
It is not a question of one or two states. So, I urge you indulgence to ask the Government to bring this Bill in this Session itself.
SHRI RANGARAJAN KUMARAMANGALAM: Sir, yesterday we had a meeting of all party leaders ... (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You please hear the
39 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
Government's stand on this so that you will be able to make your points very briefly and very forcefully.
(Interruptions)
SHRI HARISH NARAYAN PRABHU ZANTYE (Panaji): Konkani language also should be included in the Eighth Schedule.
SHRI RANGARAJAN KUMARAMANGALAM: Sir, there were two meetings on this issue among all party leaders. It is a fact that we had discussed the issue about the inclusion of various languages in the Eighth Scheduled. We had come to a consensus about it. The Government stands by the commitment that has been made by the hon. Home Minister as well as the Minister of State for Home Affairs on the floor of the House.
We will bring this Bill tomorrow and we hope that we will manage to do all that needs to be done ... (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please understand that the Government is going to bring the Bill tomorrow. You all may have the opportunity to speak on the Bill and you can express your views at that time. There are other Members who want to raise other issues. Supposing you had allowed Shri Kumaramangalam to speak, this much of time would not have been taken at all.
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE: If he had responded to my point earlier, this much time would not have been taken ... (Interruptions) [Translation]
SHRI SURAJ MANDAL: Mr. Speaker Sir, please listen to us, we are standing for quite some time ... (Interruptions)
[English]
MR. SPEAKER: We will list your name
40 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
at the beginning tomorrow when we discuss the Bill. (Interruptions) [Translation]
SHRI KALKA DAS (Karol Bagh) Mr. Speaker, Sir, four days back, the hon. Prime Minister had used the word 'Bhangi' at the Red Fort, which has hurt the feelings of the crores of people. (Interruptions) SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN (Rosera): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to draw your kind attention to the Punjab problem. The people of Akali Dal and the young Sikhs have been staging a dharna for the last ten to fifteen days and are courting arrest, their demand is that Justice Bains should be released. (Interruptions) Justice Bains is lodged in jail without any reason. On the one hand, we want that the problem of Punjab.
SHRI SURAJ MANDAL: So many leaders have spoken about Bhojpuri and Rajasthani.
MR. SPEAKER: You may speak tomorrow.
SHRI SURAJ MANDAL: Not even a single person has spoken about Santhali, which is spoken by two and a half lakh people. This issue is avoided every time. We people come from the regional parties.
(Interruptions)
SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN: The situation in Punjab is deteriorating day by day. The Government steps back from the point it reaches.
MR. SPEAKER: Please be brief, there are so many Members to speak today, today is the last day.
SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN: Justice Bains is in jail for the last four months, he has
41 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
been a good judge. He has been imprisoned for the last four months, the people of Punjab are demanding his release. We have been told about Jathedar Ranjeet Singh that there are no charges against him but he is also in jail. No action is being taken against the leaders against whom there are charges in connection with the riots that took place in 1984 since they belong to the ruling party. Therefore, the Government may immediately pass orders forthwith for the release of Justice Bains. Action should also be taken against those who were involved in the 1984 riots.
(Interruptions)
SHRI SURAJ MANDAL: We wanted that if this Bill is taken up
tomorrow, Its information should be given to Government.
MR. SPEAKER: You meet the home Minister.
(Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down. Everyone is speaking which creates confusion for me. Please sit down.
SHRI SURAJ MANDAL: We always abide by your orders.
MR. SPEAKER: It is too much. If everyone does like this, then the House will not be able to function. You had been given an opportunity to speak.
SHRI SURAJ MANDAL:They do not let us speak, the others speak out.
(Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Loknath, please sit down.
42 Re. inclusion of more language in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution
[English]
MR. SPEAKER: There is also a limit to my patience.
(Interruptions)
[Translation]
SHRI SURAJ MANDAL: I was not allowed to deal with issue on which I wanted to speak, the other issues have been taken up. There is nobody here to listen about the tribals. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we welcome the Bill to include Nepali language in the Eighth Schedule which is likely to come up. I admit that there should be some regard for the regional language, but it should also be taken into account as to how many people speak it. The total population of tribals throughout the country is 11 percent and out of those tribals, two and a half crore people speak Santhali language. It is spoken predominantly in Orissa, Bangal and Bihar. A Gorkha Hill Council has been formed for Gorkhas in Bangal and the Central Government and the Bangal Government have recognised it but it is not known, whether their language will be given recognition or not but there should be some regard for all the languages. Subhash Gheising is the leader of the Gorkha Hill Council, if his voice is suppressed.
MR. SPEAKER: You may discuss with the Government on this issue.