Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 19: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Saturday sharply criticised the politicisation of critical national issues such as the national census, delimitation of constituencies, and language policy, calling for governance rooted in constitutional values rather than political opportunism.
In a series of posts on X, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister stated, “It is natural that public and national interest will suffer when issues like census, reallocation of Lok Sabha seats based on population, the new education policy, and the imposition of language are used for political gains.” She urged leaders to pursue policies that promote unity and development across all sections of society.
Addressing the contentious debate over language policy, particularly the backlash against the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Mayawati emphasised that “hatred towards any language is inappropriate.” She urged the government to consider the realities faced by children from oppressed, backward, and poor communities, who study in government schools and struggle to compete in the modern, English-dominated skill and IT sectors.
Mayawati's remarks come amid a simmering standoff between the Union government and the Tamil Nadu administration, which has opposed the NEP’s language policy as an attempt to impose Hindi and undermine Tamil identity.
In a separate statement, Mayawati also announced that the BSP recently held a detailed review meeting in Delhi aimed at strengthening its organisational structure in southern and western states. “Preparations to expand the BSP’s base in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala were thoroughly reviewed. We are committed to intensifying our work with full dedication—physically, mentally, and financially,” she said.
Mayawati’s intervention underscores the importance of inclusive governance and respect for India’s linguistic diversity at a time when language continues to be a flashpoint in national politics.