Kerala Leaders Protest Hindi-Only NCW Workshop, Language Row Intensifies
Kerala Delegation Walks Out of NCW Workshop
A political controversy has erupted after eight women legislators from Kerala walked out of a National Commission for Women workshop held in Faridabad on September 7 and 8.
The workshop, organised under the NCW's “She is a Changemaker” initiative, focused on gender-responsive governance for women legislators and brought together more than 100 legislators from across India. The Kerala delegation objected to the programme being conducted exclusively in Hindi without adequate translation facilities.
The incident has now become a major issue in Kerala Politics, with state leaders arguing that national-level programmes should accommodate India's linguistic diversity.
V D Satheesan Criticises the Centre
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan strongly criticised the treatment of the state's women legislators and described the use of Hindi without translation as unacceptable at a national forum.
Satheesan argued that India's constitutional framework recognises linguistic diversity and that national institutions should ensure equal participation for representatives from different states. He said national platforms should be based on mutual respect and accommodation rather than linguistic imposition.
The Congress leader's remarks have brought the controversy into the wider political debate over language and Centre-state relations.
UDF Legislators Raise Objections
The Kerala legislators who participated in the workshop reportedly protested during the event before walking out.
The programme was designed as a capacity-building initiative for women representatives and was attended by legislators from several parts of the country. Kerala's representatives objected to the absence of translation arrangements that would allow them to participate effectively.
The dispute has therefore moved beyond a disagreement over event arrangements. Kerala leaders have presented it as a broader issue involving representation, accessibility and respect for India's multilingual character.
BJP and Congress Differences Emerge
The controversy also carries a political dimension because the NCW is a national institution and the issue has become part of the ongoing debate between the Congress-led Kerala government and the BJP-led Centre.
