Amit Shah Sends Malayalam Reply to Kerala MP Amid Hindi Imposition Row, Marking Rare Linguistic Gesture

In a rare move for the Union Home Ministry, Home Minister Amit Shah has issued an official communication in Malayalam, responding to CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas. The gesture comes at a time when debates over Hindi imposition have intensified, particularly in South India. Political observers see this as the first instance of a Home Minister sending such a formal response in the Malayalam language.

Political Context in Kerala

The linguistic outreach arrives as Kerala heads into an election year, with the BJP attempting to strengthen its position after securing its first-ever Lok Sabha seat in the state in the 2024 general election. The use of Malayalam in an official communication is being viewed as a politically significant step.

Brittas’s Language Equality Campaign

John Brittas has long been vocal about linguistic parity in Parliament. He has repeatedly urged the provision of translation devices for MPs who do not understand Hindi, arguing that regional language speakers often struggle during long Hindi interventions. His stance has made him a prominent advocate for linguistic federalism.

Content of Shah’s Reply

Amit Shah’s reply, dated November 14, acknowledges Brittas’s detailed representation sent on October 22. The MP had expressed concerns over a recent notification enabling the cancellation of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status if an individual is chargesheeted.

Brittas argued that such a rule undermines due process, violates natural justice, and exposes OCI cardholders to punitive action without judicial oversight. He emphasised that the OCI scheme has historically served as a symbolic and emotional link between India and its global diaspora.

Symbolic Importance of Using Malayalam

Though administrative in tone, the letter stood out for including a full Malayalam version, alongside the standard Hindi text. The move appeared to acknowledge both the linguistic context and the concerns Brittas raised, especially at a time when discussions around language rights and centralisation have grown sharper.

Legal Concerns Remain

Despite appreciating the linguistic gesture, Brittas maintains that the core constitutional issues with the August 12 notification remain unresolved. He insists that the Home Ministry’s measure exceeds the scope of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and requires deeper scrutiny.

As legal debates continue, the use of Malayalam in the Home Minister’s reply has added a significant dimension to Kerala’s political discourse — one where language and identity play a central role.