In NCFD regions, activists criticize amendments to law on native languages

The amendments to the second reading have not changed the original meaning of the bill on native languages, which still contains the principle for voluntary study of the national languages of the peoples of Russia. This was announced by activists from North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Ingushetia.

On July 24, the State Duma deputies approved the bill on national languages and left the study of native languages at the choice of pupils' parents. The new version of the bill involves the introduction of the Russian language in the list of native languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation, so that pupils' parents in the national republics can choose it for study as the mother tongue of their children.

"There is only one official language compulsory for study, namely Russian. In no case we should force children to study local languages. This is absolutely unnecessary," said Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a State Duma deputy.

Isropil Dudarov, the head for the Ingush human rights patriotic union "Our Right", believes the adoption of the bill on native languages "resulted from absolute inaction of the peoples" of Russia.