Vikash Ramkisoon challenges critic to live debate entirely in Hindi
February 11, 2026: What began as a routine exchange in Guyana’s Parliament turned dramatic when MP Vikash Ramkisoon responded to a critic not in English, but in fluent Hindi. After an Opposition legislator questioned his ability to understand the language, Ramkisoon sought the Speaker’s permission and chose to answer in Hindi itself. He openly challenged the MP to a debate on any subject, at any venue or television platform, with one condition — the entire discussion would be conducted in Hindi without notes or prepared scripts. “Vishey aap tay kijiye, main bina kagaz dekhe jawab dunga,” he said confidently, drawing attention across the House.
The moment quickly moved beyond Parliament after a clip of the exchange, first shared by the High Commission of India in Georgetown on X, went viral. Members of the Indian-origin community in Guyana and abroad praised Ramkisoon’s fluency, calling it a decisive rebuttal to his critics. Many described the episode as a proud display of cultural and linguistic identity in public life.
Guyana has a large population descended from Indian indentured labourers, and while English remains the official language, Hindi holds deep cultural significance. A Delhi University alumnus with degrees in Commerce and Finance, Ramkisoon has positioned himself as a bridge between India and Guyana since taking office in September 2025. His Hindi speech in Parliament was widely viewed as reinforcing that shared heritage.