Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has once again made it clear that his government is not against Hindi as a language but strongly opposes any attempts to impose it on the Tamil-speaking population. Addressing concerns over the three-language policy promoted by the Central Government, Stalin emphasized that Tamil Nadu will continue to follow its two-language system—Tamil and English.
A Historical Stand Against Hindi Imposition
Tamil Nadu has a long history of resisting Hindi imposition. The state has witnessed major anti-Hindi protests in 1937 and 1965, with strong opposition to policies that attempted to make Hindi a mandatory language in education and administration. The 1965 agitation was particularly intense, leading to widespread protests and over 70 deaths.
The Dravidian movement, which played a key role in shaping the state’s political and social landscape, has always advocated for linguistic autonomy and cultural preservation. It was under this influence that Tamil Nadu adopted the two-language formula (Tamil and English), which continues to be the state’s official language policy.
Concerns Over the Three-Language Formula
The Central Government has repeatedly pushed for the three-language formula, which includes Hindi as a mandatory subject in schools. However, Stalin argues that this policy is unfair to Tamil Nadu, as the state has successfully functioned with its two-language system.
Why Tamil Nadu Opposes Hindi Imposition?
- Educational Burden: Forcing students to learn Hindi would add unnecessary pressure on them, especially when they already study Tamil and English. Tamil Nadu’s literacy rate of 82.9% proves that the state has excelled without Hindi.
- Employment Discrimination: National-level government exams and job opportunities often favor Hindi-speaking candidates, creating an unfair disadvantage for Tamil-speaking individuals.
- Linguistic and Cultural Identity: Tamil Nadu believes that imposing Hindi would undermine its rich linguistic heritage, as Tamil is one of the oldest languages in the world with over 2,000 years of history.
Stalin Calls for Mutual Respect Among Languages
Stalin also responded to BJP leaders’ concerns about defacement of Hindi signage in Tamil Nadu, questioning whether Tamil signage and announcements are available in North Indian states. He stated that linguistic equality should work both ways, and Hindi should not be given preferential treatment over regional languages.
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Tamil Nadu’s Final Stand: No Forced Hindi, Only Choice
Reaffirming his stance, Stalin made it clear that Tamil Nadu welcomes Hindi as an optional language but will never allow it to be imposed. He urged the Centre to respect regional languages and ensure that India’s linguistic diversity is protected.
As Tamil Nadu continues to push back against Hindi imposition, the debate over language policies in India remains a highly sensitive political and cultural issue. With strong historical precedence and firm public sentiment, Tamil Nadu stands united in its commitment to protecting its language, identity, and self-respect.
