Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 17: In a rare move, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has responded in Malayalam to a letter from CPI(M) MP John Brittas, marking what is believed to be the first official reply by a Home Minister in the regional language.

Shah’s letter, dated November 14, acknowledges Brittas’ detailed representation of October 22 concerning the notification that allows chargesheeting as grounds for cancelling Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration. Brittas had raised concerns that the measure violates due process, undermines natural justice, and exposes OCI cardholders to arbitrary action without judicial findings.

Brittas, known for advocating linguistic parity in Parliament, has also called for translation devices for MPs struggling with lengthy Hindi speeches, emphasizing that true legislative participation requires equal access to language.

The inclusion of a full Malayalam version alongside Hindi in Shah’s reply, though procedural in content, is being seen as a significant political gesture. The move comes as Kerala heads into election mode and the BJP aims to expand its footprint in the state after winning its first-ever Lok Sabha seat there in 2024.

While Brittas maintains that constitutional concerns regarding the August 12 notification remain unresolved, the choice of language in the response has added a new dimension to political discussions in a region where language and identity continue to play a central role.