While discussing the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill in the Lok Sabha, Roy expressed difficulty in following the minister’s earlier remarks in Hindi.
”Nirmala ji also spoke in Hindi. I could not understand her because we are Bengalis; we don’t follow much Hindi,” he stated.
Chair Jagdambika Pal quickly pointed out that House proceedings were accessible in various languages. ”It’s available on the Parliament app; you can check it,” he informed Roy.
In response, the TMC MP remarked, ”We are Bengalis, and we will remain Bengalis,” which led Pal to issue a warning.
”You are Bengali, but you cannot speak of Hindi this way,” Pal stated.
Intervening in the discussion, Sitharaman firmly countered Roy’s comment. ”I can speak in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, or English. What difference does it make to the honourable member?” she challenged.
Highlighting the translation system available in the House, she continued, ”Thanks to the arrangements made by the Speaker, he can receive translations in any language he prefers. And what is this… I spoke in Hindi, so (he) can’t comprehend?” The minister indicated that Roy was trying to divert attention from the Bill itself.
”He has not reviewed the Bill carefully, and to divert from the subject, he is raising these issues. I raise an objection, and it should be noted,” she asserted.
While presenting the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman explained that its aim is to establish a ”dedicated and predictable resource stream” for two critical areas of national importance — health and national security.
