Include Bhojpuri in 8th Schedule of Constitution: Janta Dal (United) MP Ali Anwar Ansari

New Delhi: Janta Dal (U) MP Ali Anwar Ansari on Thursday made a strong pitch in Rajya Sabha to include Bhojpuri in the 8th Schedule of Constitution, saying the language was spoken by 20-25 crore people.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Ansari said the government on four occasions in Parliament has given assurance to include Bhojpuri in the 8th Schedule.

In an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that during elections, BJP leaders say a word or sentence in Bhojpuri to allure voters.

Prodded by Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, Ansari also spoke in Bhojpuri amid thumping of benches by members.

"Bhojpuri is a sweet language. Its sweetness is not like of sugar, but jaggery," the Member of Parliament said. He also demanded that primary education should be provided in mother tongue across India.

He said the Delhi unit of JD-U has written a six-page letter to the Home Minister to include Bhojpuri in the 8th Schedule, which currently recognises 22 languages.

Ansari said Bhojpuri was the language of Kunwar Singh, Sher Shah Suri and represented Hindu-Muslim unity.