In response to controversial remarks made by Russian historian Mikhail Smolin on the "Meeting Place" talk show, Alisher Qodirov, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, has suggested reducing the disproportionate use of the Russian language in education and television within Uzbekistan on January 24.
The contentious comments by Smolin, claiming that "Azerbaijani, Uzbeks, and Kazakhs never existed before the revolution," have sparked widespread condemnation. Qodirov, in a statement released on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin's death, criticized Smolin as an "ignorant historian" and urged that such views be dismissed.
"An ordinary person may not know about the 3,000-year statehood of the ancient Turkic nations, including one of their strongest branches, the head of the Qarluq-Uzbeks, but if a historian does not know, such an ignorant historian should be ignored," Qodirov asserted. He also highlighted historical inaccuracies, such as the assertion that Timur passed by Muscovy instead of over it.
Qodirov emphasized the importance of avoiding internal disputes and uniting against external threats.
"An important conclusion of our experience of statehood is that if we argue with ourselves without others, we will again become slaves to the oppressor," he added.
In addition to addressing historical perspectives, Qodirov pointed out a linguistic imbalance in Uzbekistan, where the Russian language is disproportionately used in education and television, catering to a Russian-speaking minority of less than 3%.
"This imbalance must be corrected. First of all, the norm on primary education in Uzbekistan can be included in the law. Secondly, let's start exchanging TV shows with our Kazakh, Azerbaijani, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Turkish, and Tajik brothers. We want to discuss these issues at the next meetings of the faction," Qodirov declared.
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced itself from the controversy, stating that the words of writer Zakhar Prilepin, who touched on similar themes, did not reflect the official position of Moscow.
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