AP Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu’s recent decision to use Telugu instead of English for procedural phrases in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has garnered significant appreciation from proponents of the mother tongue.
Typically, legislative proceedings involve the Speaker asking for members’ responses in English with phrases like “who says Yes tell me Yes, who says No tell me No.” However, for the past two days, Speaker Ayyannapatrudu has been conducting these sessions entirely in Telugu.
This move has been well-received by advocates for the use of Telugu, as it highlights the importance of the native language in official and legislative contexts. Ayyannapatrudu’s initiative to use Telugu has been praised by both ministers and MLAs, who were pleasantly surprised by his effort to maintain the language’s purity.
During the introduction of two bills, he requested the concerned ministers to present them without using any English words and announced their approval in Telugu. Furthermore, Ayyannapatrudu read the information about the appointment of whips and leaders of the Legislative Assembly for the Janasena and YSRCP parties entirely in Telugu.
This effort has been lauded by members across party lines, recognizing it as a commendable attempt to honor and uphold the Telugu language. This initiative contrasts with the previous YSRCP government’s emphasis on English medium education over the past five years, which some critics argue neglected the mother tongue.
By promoting the use of Telugu in legislative proceedings, Speaker Ayyannapatrudu is not only preserving the language’s significance but also setting a new precedent for future legislative sessions. He has expressed his intention to continue this tradition and has called for cooperation from all members to maintain the use of Telugu in the Assembly.
