Elon Musk supported British MP Robert Lowe, who made the announcement after he shared a photo of Whitechapel station in London
London: After uploading a photo of London’s Whitechapel Station, British MP Robert Lowe said that all signs in the UK should be in English. Elon Musk backed Lowe in this assertion.
MP Robert Lowe said in a post on X that “This is London—the station name should be in English, and English only.”
“Yes” was Elon Musk’s response to this post.
This is London – the station name should be in English, and English only. pic.twitter.com/FJLXRIgR8A
— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) February 9, 2025
According to a Khaleej Times study, more than 71,500 people in three boroughs of London—the majority of whom are from Bangladesh—speak Bengali. According to 3% of Camden inhabitants, 7% of Newham residents, and 18% of Tower Hamlets residents, it is their primary language at home.
According to the Khaleej Times, the dual-language signage outside and within the station was financed by the Tower Hamlets Council and was in Bengali and English.
With almost one-third of the population being of Bangladeshi descent, Tower Hamlets has the largest Bangladeshi community in the United Kingdom. Brick Lane and the East London Mosque are two iconic locations and establishments close to Whitechapel station. In 2022, the Bengali name was adopted.
“After our successful year of celebrations to mark 50 years of Bangladeshi independence, it is fantastic that the signs have been installed in time for Bangladesh Independence Day on Saturday, 26 March,” said former Mayor John Biggs during the sign’s installation, according to Khaleej Times.
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, was quoted by Khallej Times as saying, “London’s diversity is its greatest strength,” while the signs were being redesigned in 2022. The refurbished signage at Whitechapel station honors and commemorates the significant impact Bangladeshi Londoners have had on the development of Tower Hamlets and our city as a whole. I’m thrilled that they were put in place before Saturday, March 26, Bangladesh Independence Day.
