BJP cries 'neglect of Hindi' in CWG hoardings

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Tuesday claimed that the hoardings and banners for the Commonwealth Games put up in various parts of the city have been printed in English alone and dubbed it as an 'insult' to Indian culture.

Leader of the MCD house Subhash Arya said if Hindi was not given its due respect in a week, Hindi-lovers will be 'compelled to add' words in the national language on the blank space in the banners and posters.

"The hoardings, banners and posters put up at various sites in the city for the ensuing Commonwealth Games have been printed in English alone, thereby neglecting Hindi," the BJP leader said and termed it as 'an insult' to Indian culture.

"Nowhere in the world the national language is so bluntly ignored and humiliated," he said at the inauguration of the 'Hindi Week' organised by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi at its headquarters in Town Hall.

Arya said that he has written letters to Union Sports Minister M S Gill and Chairman of the Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi urging them to give proper honour and importance to Hindi within a period of one week.

He said that if it is not done, then Hindi lovers will be 'compelled' to add 'Swagatam' and 'Commonwealth Games 2010' in Hindi on the blank space in the banners and posters.

Arya said that MCD has given 36 sites free of cost to the Organising Committee. Even on this count, MCD's sentiments should be respected, he said.

Chairman of MCD Standing Committee Yogender Chandolia went to the extent of offering financial help to Commonwealth Games Committee for printing Hindi banners in case it finds itself financially incapable of doing so.

Mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney appealed the government to promote the cause of Hindi in the United Nations and said that the national language should be given its due place in international fora.

"If we neglect Hindi, how can we expect international community to honour Hindi?" he asked. The mayor also released MCD's magazine 'Nigam Alok' on the occasion.