Over the past year, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar has been acquiring a reputation for frequent public outbursts, often followed by lengthy apologies. He has lashed out at several people, including current and former political allies, bureaucrats, and even a farmer, over various issues.
However, the use of English instead of Hindi has drawn his ire the most. The Bihar Chief Minister lost his cool in public meetings over the use of English on at least four occasions this year, most recently at the meeting of the INDIA bloc in Delhi on December 19. As per sources, he fumed when DMK Lok Sabha MP T.R. Baalu asked for a translation of his Hindi speech. Mr. Kumar reportedly said Hindi is the national language and everyone should be able to understand it. He launched into details of the freedom struggle and the ‘imposition’ of English.
Earlier in February, Mr. Kumar shouted at a farmer for speaking in English during a programme organised by the Agriculture Department.
