Meaning
To start a widespread discussion on a matter of public interest.
Cultural Background
In India, 'Prime Time' news debates are a cultural phenomenon. Phrases like 'sārvajanik bahas chheṛnā' are used by anchors to justify the intensity of their shows. The 'Chaupal' (village square) is where public debates were traditionally sparked. Even today, a local elder might 'chheṛ' a topic that the whole village then discusses for weeks. Social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy or modern activists use literature and protests to 'spark debates' on taboo subjects like caste or gender. With the rise of WhatsApp and Twitter, 'sārvajanik bahas' has moved from physical spaces to digital ones, often leading to 'viral' trends.
Use with 'Ne'
Always remember that in the past tense, the person who started the debate gets a 'ne'. Example: 'Sarkar ne bahas chheṛī'.
Scale Matters
Don't use this for small family squabbles. It makes you sound like you're talking about a national crisis!
Meaning
To start a widespread discussion on a matter of public interest.
Use with 'Ne'
Always remember that in the past tense, the person who started the debate gets a 'ne'. Example: 'Sarkar ne bahas chheṛī'.
Scale Matters
Don't use this for small family squabbles. It makes you sound like you're talking about a national crisis!
The 'Chheṛnā' Nuance
Using 'chheṛnā' instead of 'shuru karnā' makes you sound much more like a native speaker. It shows you understand the 'sparking' nature of the action.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
इस नई फिल्म ने समाज में एक नई ______ छेड़ दी है।
The context of a film affecting 'society' (samāj) requires the formal 'sārvajanik bahas'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in the past tense?
Select the correct sentence:
'Bahas' is feminine, and 'chheṛ denā' is a common compound verb form. 'Chheṛ dī' matches the feminine gender.
Match the action to the result.
A famous author writes a controversial article about the education system.
Writing a controversial article for the public is a classic trigger for 'sārvajanik bahas'.
Complete the dialogue.
पत्रकार: सर, आपके बयान से पूरे देश में खलबली मच गई है। नेता: मेरा उद्देश्य ही ______ था।
Politicians often use controversial statements to 'spark a public debate'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesइस नई फिल्म ने समाज में एक नई ______ छेड़ दी है।
The context of a film affecting 'society' (samāj) requires the formal 'sārvajanik bahas'.
Select the correct sentence:
'Bahas' is feminine, and 'chheṛ denā' is a common compound verb form. 'Chheṛ dī' matches the feminine gender.
A famous author writes a controversial article about the education system.
Writing a controversial article for the public is a classic trigger for 'sārvajanik bahas'.
पत्रकार: सर, आपके बयान से पूरे देश में खलबली मच गई है। नेता: मेरा उद्देश्य ही ______ था।
Politicians often use controversial statements to 'spark a public debate'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. It can be positive (starting a needed conversation) or negative (starting a distracting controversy). The context determines the tone.
Yes, 'सार्वजनिक चर्चा छेड़ना' is common and slightly less aggressive/argumentative than 'बहस'.
It is feminine. This is crucial for verb agreement in the past tense (छेड़ी).
Yes, often in political thrillers or social dramas when a character's action causes a scandal.
Yes! 'इस किताब ने बहस छेड़ दी' (This book sparked a debate) is perfectly correct.
You use the passive: 'सार्वजनिक बहस छिड़ गई' (The public debate broke out/was sparked).
Absolutely. It is a high-level collocation that will impress examiners in essays or speaking tests.
'Shuru karnā' is a general 'to start'. 'Chheṛnā' implies a provocative, sudden, or catalytic start.
It's better to use 'bahas shuru karnā' for a small club. 'Sārvajanik' implies the general public.
The phrase focuses on the *start*, but usually implies the debate continued for some time.
Related Phrases
मुद्दा उठाना
similarTo raise an issue
विवाद खड़ा करना
similarTo create a controversy
चर्चा का विषय बनना
builds onTo become a subject of discussion
आवाज़ उठाना
similarTo raise one's voice
