From Punjabi To Maithili: Delhi Assembly Showcases Linguistic Diversity As Newly-Elected MLAs Take Oath

The inaugural session of the freshly formed Delhi Assembly began on Monday (24 February), demonstrating the linguistic diversity of the legislature as MLAs took their oaths in six different languages - Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu, Maithili, and Punjabi.

The meeting also signified the BJP's comeback to authority following a 26-year hiatus, along with its transition to the right of the Speaker's chair, The New Indian Express reported.

Arvinder Singh Lovely, a BJP MLA, took the oath as the pro-tem Speaker of the eighth Assembly. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena at the Raj Niwas before the commencement of the session.

Lovely, being the most senior legislator, was responsible for presiding over the oath-taking ceremony of all newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

Rekha Gupta, the Chief Minister, was the initial one to swear the oath, which was then followed by her six members of the Cabinet.

Next in line were Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and Home Minister Ashish Sood.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the Environment Minister, swore his oath in Punjabi, whereas Kapil Mishra, the Minister of Law and Justice, chose Sanskrit for his oath.

A number of other MLAs swore their oaths in various languages.

Karnail Singh swore his oath in Punjabi, whereas Pradyumn Rajput and Neelam Pahalwan opted for Sanskrit.

After reading the prepared script, Tarvinder Marwah of the BJP recited religious chants, prompting the Speaker to intervene. He reminded Marwah that the setting was not a Gurudwara.

The Speaker continually directed members to adhere to the official oath format as Amanatullah Khan in Urdu, Chandan Chaudhary in Maithili, Ajay Dutt in English, and Gajendra Yadav in Sanskrit, all took their oaths.

Sanjay Goel, Jitendra Mahajan, Ajay Mahawar, and Karnail Singh from the BJP are among the MLAs who opted to take their oaths in Sanskrit. On the other hand, Chaudhary Zubair and Amanatullah Khan decided to take their oaths in Urdu.

Atishi, the Opposition Leader and MLA from the Kalkaji seat, also took her oath. Assisted by Atishi, Gopal Rai took the oath from his seat due to his walking difficulties.

The final MLA to take the oath was Mohan Singh Bisht.

Anil Jha was sworn in using the Maithili language.