Suresh Gopi’s Invocation of “Krishna, Guruvayurappa” Highlights Cultural Diversity in 18th Lok Sabha Oath Ceremony
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/25th June 2024
As Suresh Gopi, the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP elected from Kerala, prepared to take his oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha, he invoked “Krishna, Guruvayurappa.” This reverent invocation of the deity was followed by Gopi’s oath in Malayalam, his mother tongue. Representing Thrissur, Gopi has been appointed as the Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism and Petroleum.
This year’s swearing-in ceremony showcased the linguistic diversity of India, with newly-elected MPs taking their oaths in various languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. According to PTI, these languages included Sanskrit, Hindi, Dogri, Assamese, Odia, and others, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took his oath in Hindi, accompanied by enthusiastic chants of “Jai Shri Ram” from the treasury benches. Other prominent ministers, such as Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Annapurna Devi, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and ML Khattar, also took their oaths in Hindi, underscoring the widespread use of the national language in official ceremonies.
Despite the backdrop of “NEET, NEET” slogans from the opposition, protesting the recent controversies surrounding the national medical entrance exam, Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan took his oath in Odia. This act highlighted the linguistic pride of the ministers, each choosing to swear in their native languages.
Shripad Yesso Naik, the Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy, opted for Sanskrit as he took his oath. Elected for the sixth time from North Goa, Naik’s choice underscored the enduring significance of this ancient language in modern India.
Sukanta Majumdar, the MoS for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region, took his oath in Bengali, showcasing the cultural richness of West Bengal. Similarly, Pune MP and MoS for Aviation, Muralidhar Mohol, took his oath in Marathi, reinforcing the linguistic diversity among the ministers.
Union Minister Jitender Singh, elected from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, took his oath in Dogri, while Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu and Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy chose Telugu for their oaths, representing the linguistic heritage of their regions.
Sarbananda Sonowal, the MP from Assam’s Dibrugarh and Union Minister of Port and Shipping, took his oath in Assamese. Meanwhile, Steel and Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi opted for Kannada, emphasizing their roots in Karnataka.
However, BJP MP from Saran in Bihar, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, expressed regret over not being able to take his oath in Bhojpuri. This sentiment reflects the broader desire among MPs to celebrate and honor their linguistic identities.
The 18th Lok Sabha’s swearing-in ceremony was a vivid display of India’s linguistic diversity, with each minister’s choice of language serving as a reminder of the nation’s rich cultural mosaic. The ceremony underscored the importance of regional languages in India’s political and cultural landscape, celebrating the unity in diversity that defines the country.
