The Lok Sabha to-day [December 13, New Delhi] adopted the motion for consideration of the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill and the official resolution on language policy by an overwhelming majority of 213 votes to 69. While the D.M.K. voted against the motion, three Congress members including Seth Govind Das also voted against the motion. The P.S.P. voted for the Bill. The S.S.P. and the Jan Sangh also voted against the motion. All amendments seeking to circulate the Bill for eliciting public opinion, reference to Joint Select Committee and reference to Supreme Court for getting opinion were rejected by the House. The first reading alone took more than a record time of 13 hours. The House gave its general approval to the Bill after the Home Minister, Mr. Y.B. Chavan, had announced the Government’s willingness to accept some of the amendments in order to clarify the purpose of the Bill. Before the Home Minister spoke, Mr. Sreekantan Nair (R.S.P-Kerala) rose and demanded an opportunity to speak on behalf of his State. The Speaker did not grant his request. Protagonists of Hindi who indulged in heckling those with whom they differed throughout the day were stunned to silence when Mr. Nair thundered several times, “Down with Hindi imperialism,” collected his papers and walked out of the House. Never before had party lines been shed so completely as in this debate in which the House was divided virtually into supporters of Hindi amid those who fought against the imposition of Hindi. Speeches made by Jan Sangh members were cheered by Congressmen. The S.S.P. benches applauded the remarks of Congressmen from Hindi speaking areas. The D.M.K, several Swatantra members and Communists spoke with almost one voice. Congressmen from West Bengal differed from Congressmen from Hindi areas.
