Amit Shah counters Stalin’s ‘Hindi imposition’ claim, highlights CISF exam in Tamil as regional language push

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to introduce engineering and medical education in Tamil, countering the latter’s criticism of the Centre’s alleged push for Hindi.

Addressing the 56th Raising Day of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Thakkolam in Ranipet, Shah emphasized the Modi government’s commitment to linguistic inclusivity. He highlighted the recent decision allowing CISF aspirants to write exams in Tamil and other regional languages.

“Now the PM Narendra Modi government has ensured that the exam can be written in Tamil too,” Shah said, lauding Tamil Nadu’s cultural contributions to India’s heritage. “Be it administrative reforms, attaining spiritual heights, education, or the unity and integrity of the nation – Tamil Nadu has reinforced Indian culture in every sphere,” he added.

Political war of words

With Tamil Nadu set for assembly polls next year, the language debate has intensified. Stalin has been vocal against the BJP-led Centre, particularly on the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP), calling it an attempt at “Hindi imposition.”

Before Shah’s visit, Stalin ridiculed the BJP, stating, “The three-language formula in the National Education Policy has become a laughing stock in Tamil Nadu. History is clear—those who tried to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu have either been defeated or later changed their stance and aligned with the DMK.” He further accused the BJP of treating Tamil Nadu as a second-class state by withholding its fair share of funds for opposing the NEP.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan refuted these allegations, asserting that NEP 2020 does not mandate Hindi and only encourages education in regional languages. “We have never said in NEP 2020 that only Hindi will be there; we have only said that education will be based on the mother tongue. In Tamil Nadu, it will be Tamil,” Pradhan said, adding that opposition to the policy was driven by political motives.

A legacy of language politics

Tamil Nadu has a long history of resisting Hindi imposition, with anti-Hindi agitations dating back nearly a century. The state has also fiercely opposed the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), citing concerns over fairness and accessibility. The DMK government has repeatedly urged the Centre to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET and recently passed a resolution seeking its abolition nationwide.

The dispute over language policy remains a key political battleground as the state gears up for elections, with both the BJP and DMK using the issue to consolidate their voter bases.