The recent controversy surrounding remarks made by Sherzodkhon Kudratkhoja, the rector of the University of Journalism in Tashkent, has sparked a diplomatic spat between Uzbekistan and Russia, shedding light on the intricate web of language politics in the region, Eurasianstar reported.
Kudratkhoja’s statement, in which he labeled Uzbek citizens who speak Russian but not Uzbek as "occupiers or idiots," has elicited a sharp response from Russian officials. The Russian government has condemned the remarks as "extremely offensive and absolutely unacceptable," leading to the summoning of the Uzbek ambassador to Russia.
The incident underscores the complex interplay between language identity, national sovereignty, and geopolitical relations, particularly in post-Soviet states. Gareth Stamp, editor-in-chief of Eurasian Star, commented on Facebook, highlighting the broader implications of such statements amidst Russia's ongoing tensions with Ukraine. Stamp emphasized the need for careful navigation of language sensitivities to maintain stability and cooperation in the region.
Stamp also noted the disparity in language policies across Central Asia, citing Kazakhstan's heavy investment in Kazakh language training compared to Uzbekistan's relative lack of resources for non-Uzbeks to learn the language.
Historical context adds another layer of complexity to the issue, with Russia serving as a lingua franca of the Soviet Union. Millions of people from various parts of the USSR were relocated to Uzbekistan during World War II and subsequent periods of industrialization, contributing to the linguistic diversity of the region.
Economically, Kudratkhoja’s remarks could prove counterproductive for Uzbekistan. Over the past two years, a significant number of Russian-speaking individuals, primarily Uzbek citizens returning from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, have moved back to Uzbekistan, bringing with them substantial investment and valuable human resources. Such statements risk alienating these returnees and undermining Uzbekistan's economic interests.
The discussion surrounding language has extended into diplomatic circles, as Kahramon Kuronboyev, an advisor to the president of Uzbekistan, has reached out to the Russian State Duma for assistance in establishing educational institutions for Uzbek migrant children in Russia. However, Russian Deputy Mikhail Delyagin rebuffed this request, deeming it unlawful and insisting that Uzbekistan should repatriate its citizens and develop educational infrastructure within its own borders.
In response to Delyagin's stance, Kadyrov, who also leads the democratic party "Milliy Tiklanish," highlighted the potential ramifications of such positions. He suggested that if the treatment of Uzbeks and the Uzbek language in Russia reflects Delyagin's sentiments, Uzbekistan might reciprocate regarding the status of the Russian language within its borders.
"If teaching the Uzbek language in Russian schools is discrimination against the Russian nation, then isn't teaching in Russian in Uzbekistan's schools discrimination against Uzbeks?" Kadyrov writes.
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