Photo: council.gov.ru
The Belarusian Popular Front opposition party (BPF) declared 2019 to be the Year of Belarusian language, and urged to limit the use of Russian language in the country, Gazeta.ru informs.
BPF demands to limit Russian TV channels broadcasting in order to “resist the informational attacks” and to “preserve the independence” of the country. Nationalists lament that too many people in Belarus stopped speaking Belarusian, remaining in “Russian cultural space”. According to the opinion of BPF, preserving Russian language in the Republic is dangerous for the country’s independence, because “the protection of Russians” might become the reason for launching Russian military force in the country.
According to Belarusian opposition, Russian TV channels “foster ethnic enmity” and should be banned. However, Russian TV channels are popular in Belarus, and Russian is one of the two state languages. More than 80% of population expressed support to Russian language on a 1995 referendum.
Member of the Federation Council Aleksey Pushkov commented on BPF’s appeals. “Belarusian Popular Front either mistakes or distorts reality intentionally, trying to separate Belarus and Russia. I have never noticed that Russian TV channels “foster ethnic enmity” for Belarus. Perhaps somebody wants to push the country on a Ukrainian path,” Pushkov posted on his Twitter page.
Russkiy Mir
