Anti-Hindi sentiment simmering in south, TN & Kerala CMs warn Centre

Amid raging controversy in southern states over the Union government’s alleged attempt to “impose Hindi language”, at least two states’ chief ministers – Tamil Nadu and Kerala – for now have flagged concern, seeking withdrawal of the Parliamentary committee’s recommendation in this regard.

The parliamentary committee headed by Amit Shah has recommended that Hindi be compulsorily made the medium of instruction in all technical and non-technical educational institutions.   Three prominent leaders from southern states, namely Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan have claimed that the language is being ‘imposed’ on non-Hindi speaking states.

The Kerala CM on Tuesday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention, saying such a move would destroy the integrity of the nation. In a letter to PM Modi, Pinarayi Vijayan noted that the “essence of India is defined by the concept of ‘unity in diversity’ which acknowledges cultural and linguistic diversity.”

“The job seekers and students of our country have their serious apprehensions in this regard. I take this opportunity to suggest that question papers for competitive exams for posts in Government of India may be given in all languages specified in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution,” Vijayan said in his letter.

“The job seekers and students of our country have their serious apprehensions in this regard. I take this opportunity to suggest that question papers for competitive exams for posts in Government of India may be given in all languages specified in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution,” Vijayan said in his letter.

He also took to Twitter to highlight the issue, saying “Union Govt’s Hindi imposition move is an onslaught on India’s cherished ideal, unity in diversity.”

“It will disadvantage a vast majority of Indians in matters of education and employment. This callous move, an affront on cooperative federalism, has to be opposed unitedly,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Karnataka CM asserted that Hindi is not India’s national language and accused the ruling BJP of trying to unleash its agenda of “cultural terrorism” against non-Hindi speaking states.

“As a Kannadiga, I take strong offence to @HMOIndia @AmitShah’s comment on Official language & medium of communication. Hindi is not our National Language & we will never let it to be,” Siddaramaiah tweeted with the tagline “#IndiaAgainstHindiImposition”

In a similar reaction over the spat between Hindi cinema actor Ajay Devgn and Kannada actor Kiccha Sudeepa in April, Siddaramaiah said that “Hindi was never & will never be our National Language” and called for respecting linguistic diversity of the country.

Meanwhile, former CM HD Kumaraswamy questioned why only Hindi Divas was marked and why no other languages’ festivities were held. “Keep in mind that Kannadigas are part of India’s federal system as well. Kannada is an official language of India, just as Hindi. When are you going to celebrate Kannada Divas?” Kumaraswamy tweeted.

According to senior Left leader and former state finance minister TM Thomas Isaac, BJP does not believe in the country’s diversity and tries to impose its “divisive idea of oneness”. He tweeted “We strongly oppose these efforts which stem from the RSS conception of one nation, one culture, one language. It runs contrary to the spirit of the Indian Constitution and our country’s linguistic diversity,” the party tweeted.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM