Bihar CM Nitish Kumar loses cool over speaking in English

It happened at the launch of the fourth agriculture road map and consultation programme with farmers.

Amit Kumar, a farmer from the Lakhisarai district, never imagined that speaking in English would make Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar angry. The occasion was the launch of the 4th agriculture road map and consultation programme with farmers who have gathered at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna from across the State.

A list of successful farmers was prepared by the government and they were asked to come on the dais and share their experience with the dignitaries present there, including Mr. Nitish. Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Agriculture Minister Kumar Sarvjeet were also present on the occasion.

Mr. Amit was the fourth farmer on the list who came on the dais and welcomed everyone by saying “A very good afternoon to everyone present over here. I would like to thank Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his visionary politics. Because of him, I have reached so far.”

He kept on speaking both in English and Hindi and was talking about his mushroom farming and its benefits, apart from giving suggestions on better farming. In between, he used English words like food production, consumption, incentivisation, and possible solution. He also shared how he got the benefit due to training from the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) in Bihar. 

It was merely four minutes Mr. Amit spoke when Mr. Nitish interrupted and said, “What is this? Don’t you know this is Bihar? Whatever you are speaking, you are using English words. What are you up to? How can you forget the Hindi language of our State and country? I am really shocked. You are a farmer and farming is done by common man. You have been called to give suggestions and you are speaking in English. Is this England? This is Bharat and you are in Bihar.”

Mr. Nitish further expressed his shock and said, “What is going on? Since the time of COVID, I have been observing people using mobile phones a lot and forgetting the old language. You better mind your language; this is not welcoming. Whatever you are saying is ok, but speak in the language of your State.”

Mr. Amit had no option except to extend an apology to Mr. Nitish and said, “ Chama Chahunga Sir (My apologies, sir).” He then continued his speech in Hindi and hardly used any English words during his 10 minutes of speech except the last word “provide”. It was the context of providing mushrooms to the children during the mid-day meal.