"Such is their mentality, the more cultured we are, the more they will feel superior," - bloggers comment on Russia labeling Sherzodkhon Kudratkhuja as "persona non-grata"

Sherzodkhon Kudratkhuja, the Rector of the University of Journalism and Mass Communications in Uzbekistan, labeled those who do not speak the language of their residing country as "invaders or idiots" and sparked outrage prompting swift action from "Rossotrudnichestvo". The agency has halted all communication with him and declared him "persona non-grata".

Swift Response from Activists

In response to the incident, various activists have voiced their opinions. Notably, lawyer Khushnudbek Khudoyberdiyev expressed solidarity with Kudratkhuja, stating, "I am sure that this action will not affect brother Sherzodkhon even as much as a mosquito bite. Feel free to add me to that blacklist if you want, I'd be more than happy to be there." he concluded

Khudoyberdiyev further called for action against Yevgeny Primakov, urging for a ban on his entry into Uzbekistan for allegedly threatening a citizen unjustly. Additionally, blogger Shahnoza Soatova reported widespread support for Kudratkhuja among UzTwitter users, labeling him as "my new idol."

Political scientist Kamoliddin Rabbimov criticized Russian imperialists and nationalists for their aggressive actions towards Uzbekistan. "Why are Russian politicians so insolent? Until now Russian imperialists and nationalists have thrown a lot of stones at Uzbekistan, and the country has not responded. Such is their mentality, the more cultured we are, the more they will feel superior. Until the state makes a serious statement, they will continue to do so," he said.

Blogger Muhrim Azamkhojayev regarded Kudratkhuja's persona non-grata status in Russia as an honor, expressing gratitude for the declaration. However, Azamkhojayev also called for broader condemnation of Russian officials, highlighting the need for Uzbekistan to explore alternative partnerships beyond its historical ties with Russia.

Support for Language Proficiency

Kudratkhuja reiterated his stance on language proficiency, advocating for the importance of learning and understanding the language spoken by the majority in one's residing country. He emphasized the necessity for individuals to adapt and integrate fully into their local communities, underscoring the significance of linguistic competence in fostering social cohesion.

Earlier, there was a case when Russian historian Mikhail Smolin talked about the fact that Uzbeks did not exist as a nation before the revolution of 1917. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, commented on Smolin's statement, saying that it was the personal opinion of the historian.

A similar situation happened when Zakhar Prilepin, a former deputy and current Russian propagandist-official, has sparked controversy with his remarks on immigration and territorial expansion. His comments, which were met with applause from other Russian officials, suggested an aggressive approach towards the territories from where immigrants originate. Marina Zakharova once again stepped in to clarify that these claims were but the personal opinion of Prilepin.

*"Rossotrudnichestvo" - The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation, commonly known as Rossotrudnichestvo, is an autonomous Russian federal government agency under the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.