DMK, other parties unite to oppose Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu; warn BJP not to push for another 'language war'

After the PM Modi-led union government proposed the three-language policy and 'imposition of Hindi', Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and its allies have staunchly opposed the move with Deputy Chief Minister Udhyanidhi Stalin saying that "if BJP tries to impose Hindi, his state is ready for a language war."

Udhyanidhi is the son of Chief Minister M K Stalin who earlier accused Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of "blackmail" for allegedly withholding education funds until the state accepted the National Education Policy (NEP) and the three-language formula.

The Deputy CM, who was speaking at the all-party protest organized by the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in Chennai on Feb 18, said, “States that accept Hindi lose their mother tongue.”

He also reiterated his father's 'blackmail' jibe at Pradhan, highlighting that the state is just demanding its right, both central government funds for education and the state's share of tax devolution.

Udhyanidhi also warned the Tamil people against adopting Hindi, saying, “Dharmendra Pradhan asks, 'Why is Tamil Nadu alone opposing this while all other states have accepted?' There is a reason... several states that accepted Hindi stand to lose their mother tongues... Bhojpuri, Bihari, Haryanvi have nearly died because of infiltration by Hindi.”

"We are only asking for our tax money and our rights. We are asking for money that is rightfully ours... Dharmendra Pradhan openly threatened us that funds would be released only if we accepted the three-language formula. But we are not asking for your father's money... we aren't begging," Udhyanidhi said.

Pradhan had declared that the state would not receive ₹2,400 crore in funds for the ongoing Samagra Siksha Mission unless it completely adopts the National Education policy.

Tamil Nadu has massively opposed the imposition of Hindi as the state witnessed anti-Hindi agitations in the 1930s and 1960s.

The state currently follows a 'two-language' policy which includes Tamil and English.

"We are asking for our due share. And if you (the BJP) think you can threaten us... it will never happen in Tamil Nadu," Mr Stalin said at a DMK-led protest rally in Chennai. “The people of Tamil Nadu are watching. They will give a fitting reply at the appropriate time.”

Udhyanidhi reminded the Bharatiya Janata Party that Tamil Nadu is a "Dravidian land... the land of Periyar" adding, “The last time you tried to take away the rights of the Tamil people, they started 'GoBackModi'. If you try again... this time the voice will be 'Get out, Modi'... agitation will be done to send you back.”

The three-language policy has long been a bone of contention between southern states and the Union government. The conflict has further flared up after a new education policy was introduced five years ago, under which the students must learn three languages, one of which has to be Hindi.

“C Rajagopalachari, who imposed Hindi in 1938, had to retract, and later in 1965 had to say, ‘Hindi Never, English Ever’. The BJP leaders may not be aware of this history of TN. This will repeat," said Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani at the event.

TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai, who was also at the event said, “Former PM Jawaharlal Nehru assured that Hindi would not be imposed and his successors in Congress followed that. The BJP is provoking us unnecessarily. TN is 50 years ahead of others with its two-language policy. Tamils will reject BJP and its covert allies.”

“The whole TN is up on its feet. The union government should know that today’s youngsters will follow in the footsteps of the language martyrs to save Tamil," said MDMK leader Vaiko, recalling the 1965 language struggle when security personnel opened fire on student protesters.

CPM state secretary P Shanmugam asked the DMK president MK Stalin to announce a state-wide strike to show the unity of Tamils against the union government.

Meanwhile, BJP has ramped up its three-language policy in the state which is set to vote for its Assembly election next year. The right-wing party is set to launch its campaign on March 1.

The BJP's Hindi push in the state is seen as its effort to find a foothold as the party has never managed to win over the voters there.

In 2016, the saffron party contested all 234 seats but won none. In 2021, it reduced its seats to 20 but managed to win only 4.

It even faired miserably in general elections in both 2019 and 2024 winning zero seats.

BJP's state unit chief K Annamalai, has slammed the DMK, for sticking to an "outdated" policy from the 1960s.
"The world is developing rapidly. And what is the point of imposing your outdated policy of the 1960s on the children of Tamil Nadu?" he said