Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin, took to social media on Thursday to criticize the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the national level regarding the “imposition of Hindi.” He stated, “Demanding linguistic equality does not equate to chauvinism.”
He further reminded citizens of the accusations that some “bigots” have leveled against his party, the DMK. He remarked, “Some privileged bigots label us as chauvinists and anti-nationals for the ‘offense’ of seeking Tamil’s rightful status in Tamil Nadu.”
In a fierce critique of the PM Modi-led central government, MK Stalin asserted, “Want to know what Chauvinism is? Chauvinism is naming the three criminal laws that govern 140 crore citizens in a language that Tamils cannot even articulate or understand by reading.”
Stalin also addressed the Centre’s National Education Policy (NEP), stating, “Chauvinism is treating the state that contributes the most to the nation as second-class citizens and denying its rightful share for refusing to swallow the toxic pill called NEP.”
The Tamil Nadu government has strongly opposed the implementation of the 2020 New Education Policy (NEP), expressing concerns and alleging that the Centre aims to “impose” Hindi.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote, “Imposition of anything breeds hostility. Hostility jeopardizes unity. Therefore, the true chauvinists and anti-nationals are the Hindi enthusiasts who think their entitlement is inherent, while our resistance is seen as treason.”
Earlier in the day, MK Stalin used X to invoke the spirit of the 1967 Tamil language protests, calling on the state to stand against what he termed the imposition of Hindi.
Posting a photograph of former Chief Minister Annadurai, Stalin reminded the public about the 1967 anti-Hindi movement in the state.
“1967: Anna took a stand; Tamil Nadu rose! If any harm comes to our proud Tamil Nadu, let us roar like wildfire! Let us celebrate the triumph!” he shared on the microblogging platform X, drawing parallels between historical struggles and current challenges.
BJP Responds: ‘No One Is Imposing Hindi’
BJP senior leader Tamilisai Soundararajan stated that there is no imposition of Hindi. She referred to Stalin as an “outdated Chief Minister.”
“We are not ‘imposing’. We are condemning it. He is bothered by the signature campaign that began yesterday. He is fearful of it. The third language serves not only for opportunities but also for communication,” she said on Thursday.
