Hindi, An Eye Sore? All Traces Of The Language Removed From The English Version Of IRCTC Online Portal

The IRCTC online ticket booking website has removed the Hindi Language from its English version of the site due to massive opposition from a section of rail passengers from Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country, reports The New Indian Express.

Before the move, the names of stations in the drop-down menu used to appear in the Hindi language along with English and the station codes. Furthermore, pop-ups carrying disclaimers and advertisements could also be in Hindi.

The Kanniyakumari District Railway Users’ Association (KKDRUA) termed it an “imposition of Hindi” on non-Hindi speaking people, and then petitioned the Railway Board as well as IRCTC demanding the removal of Hindi names on the website.

An official source from the Centre of Railway Information System (CRIS), the IT wing of the Railway which manages the online ticket portal has confirmed the removal of Hindi language texts of station names and other general instructions on the website of Railways.

Now the names in the drop-menu will only be in English. All general instructions and other promotional messages appearing on the homepage prior and after the booking of tickets will also only be in English.

“Station names appearing in drop-down menus under ‘book your ticket’ in the home page of the website will only have the English language. The station names will not appear in Hindi. However, the Hindi version of the IRCTC will continue to function as before,” said an IRCTC official.