MK Stalin mocks Amit Shah, Shah counters.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, alleging that he has not done enough to promote the Tamil language. Shah asserted that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government that has taken significant steps to support and accommodate regional languages, including Tamil.
Speaking at a public event, Shah highlighted various initiatives by the central government to elevate Tamil’s status, such as incorporating it into government programs, promoting its literature, and ensuring its inclusion in competitive exams.
He accused Stalin and the DMK of using Tamil for political rhetoric while failing to implement real measures to strengthen the language. The remarks have intensified the ongoing political debate between the BJP and DMK over linguistic policies and regional identity.
Hours after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin accused the Centre of imposing Hindi on non-Hindi speakers, Union Home Minister Amit Shah countered by urging the state government to introduce medical and engineering courses in Tamil. Shah claimed that Stalin has not done enough to promote Tamil in higher education and asserted that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government that had taken significant steps to accommodate regional languages in recruitment policies.
Stalin, however, dismissed Shah’s remarks with a sharp retort. Dravidam does not take dictations from Delhi. Instead, it sets the course for the nation to follow,” he said, asserting that Tamil Nadu has long been a pioneer in shaping progressive policies for the country.
The exchange highlights the growing friction between the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led central government over language policies. Stalin and his party have consistently accused the Centre of attempting to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu, a state with a long history of opposing linguistic imposition. The DMK has steadfastly upheld its commitment to the two-language formula—Tamil and English—rejecting the three-language policy proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The NEP recommends a three-language formula, explicitly stating that no language will be imposed on any state. Despite this assurance, the policy has found little traction in Tamil Nadu. The DMK insists that the existing two-language system, which has been in place for decades, is sufficient and should not be tampered with.
The recent row between Stalin and Shah is not an isolated incident. Language has long been a contentious issue in Tamil Nadu’s politics, with anti-Hindi agitations dating back to the 1930s. The resistance gained momentum in the 1960s when the state witnessed mass protests against the Centre’s attempt to make Hindi India’s sole official language. These agitations cemented the DMK’s rise to power and have continued to shape its political stance.
Shah’s remarks urging the introduction of medical and engineering courses in Tamil align with the Modi government’s broader push to promote regional languages in higher education. The Centre has already initiated steps to introduce technical courses in multiple Indian languages, including Tamil, through the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). However, the DMK argues that such decisions should be left to the states and that Tamil Nadu has already been taking measures to strengthen its linguistic heritage.
Stalin’s response reflects Tamil Nadu’s strong linguistic identity and its determination to resist any perceived interference from the Centre. The DMK’s stand resonates with a significant section of the Tamil electorate, which views language as a crucial part of its cultural and political identity.
While the BJP has been making concerted efforts to expand its presence in Tamil Nadu, issues like language and federalism continue to pose significant challenges. The DMK has used these issues effectively to rally support and position itself as a defender of Tamil pride against what it perceives as the Centre’s overreach.
As the debate over language policy continues, both parties are likely to use it to their advantage in the upcoming elections. The BJP will attempt to showcase its efforts in promoting regional languages, while the DMK will reaffirm its commitment to Tamil identity and autonomy. The political landscape in Tamil Nadu remains deeply shaped by these linguistic and cultural debates, ensuring that language will continue to be a key issue in the state’s discourse.