Image Credit: X account @AmitShah
Amit Shah Replies in Malayalam Amid Language Row
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has responded in Malayalam to a letter from Kerala MP John Brittas, marking the first known time a Home Minister has issued an official reply in a South Indian regional language. The response, dated November 14, addressed Brittas’s October 22 note raising concerns over the government’s notification to cancel Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registrations on grounds of being charge-sheeted. This unusual step is seen as a strategic gesture ahead of the April 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.
Context and Significance
Brittas’s letter had argued that cancelling OCI registration merely on the basis of a chargesheet—without any judicial conviction—violates principles of natural justice and constitutional safeguards. Shah’s reply acknowledged receipt of the letter, but did not go into the substantive legal issues raised. Instead, it stood out because of its language choice, coming at a time when allegations of “Hindi imposition” in southern states are politically charged. The move may signal the government’s awareness of language sensitivities in Kerala and the broader South India region.
Political Implications
While the content of the letter was procedural rather than substantive, the format draws attention. It could be interpreted as an attempt by Shah’s party to reach out to non-Hindi speaking states and counter criticism on linguistic issues. Analysts suggest that this step might be part of the strategy to strengthen political foothold in Kerala, where the ruling national party won its first Lok Sabha seat in 2024. However, critics say that replying in a regional language without addressing the core legal concerns may come across as symbolic rather than meaningful.
