‘Decided to speak in French, but I don’t know French’: Amartya Sen’s jibe amid language row

Renowned economist Amartya Sen on Friday expressed concern over the rising linguistic intolerance in the country, especially against Bengali speaking people in various states.

Referring to media reports that Bengali-speaking persons of West Bengal are being pushed to Bangladesh on suspicion that they hail from that country, he jokingly said there is a possibility that he might be sent back to Dhaka, where his family has roots.

The 91-year-old Nobel Laureate was speaking at a public discussion here on the theme ‘India’s Youth: Social Opportunities They Should Have’.

“I saw in the newspaper that someone was sent to Bangladesh because he was speaking in Bengali. It made me a bit worried,” Sen said.