Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has once again accused the central government of trying to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states. His criticism came shortly after Union Home Minister Amit Shah suggested that Tamil Nadu should introduce medical and engineering courses in Tamil. Mr. Shah claimed that the DMK-led state government had not done enough to promote Tamil in higher education and argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government had taken steps to support regional languages.
Mr. Shah also pointed out that earlier, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Constable recruitment exams were not conducted in regional languages. However, the Modi government changed this, allowing exams in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule, including Tamil.
“Till now, there was no place for the mother tongue in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Constable recruitment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided that our youth will now be able to write their CAPF exam in all languages in the Eighth Schedule, including Tamil,” Mr. Shah said. He also urged Chief Minister Stalin to take immediate action to introduce medical and engineering courses in Tamil.
This is not the first time Tamil Nadu has raised concerns over Hindi imposition. In 2023, the Centre allowed CAPF exams in 13 regional languages, including Tamil, following protests by Stalin against the initial decision to hold the exams only in Hindi and English.
Stalin calls NEP threat to Tamil identity
Reacting strongly, Mr. Stalin accused the Centre of trying to push Hindi through the National Education Policy (NEP). He claimed that Tamil Nadu had already achieved what the NEP aimed for by 2030 and did not need guidance from the Union government.
“The tree may prefer calm, but the wind will not subside,” Mr. Stalin said, blaming the controversy on the Union Education Minister’s remarks. He stated that Tamil Nadu would not accept any form of “Hindi imposition.”
“It was the Union Education Minister who provoked us to write this series of letters when we were simply doing our job. He forgot his place and dared to threaten an entire state to accept Hindi imposition, and now he faces the consequences of reviving a fight he can never win. Tamil Nadu will not be blackmailed into surrendering,” Mr. Stalin said. He also compared the Centre’s attempts to force Hindi on Tamil Nadu to an “LKG student lecturing a PhD holder,” stating, “Dravidam does not take dictations from Delhi. Instead, it sets the course for the nation to follow.”
BJP’s signature campaign sparks controversy
Mr. Stalin also criticised the BJP’s signature campaign supporting the NEP and the three-language formula, which includes Hindi, English, and a regional language. The DMK has firmly opposed this formula, arguing that Tamil Nadu’s two-language system (Tamil and English) is sufficient.
“Now the BJP’s circus-like signature campaign for the three-language formula has become a laughing stock in Tamil Nadu. I challenge them to make this their core agenda in the 2026 Assembly elections and let it be a referendum on Hindi imposition,” he wrote.
The National Education Policy (NEP), introduced in 2020, promotes a three-language formula but states that no language will be forced on any state. However, Tamil Nadu has refused to implement it, insisting that its current system has helped the state progress without the need for Hindi.
Stalin also pointed to history, claiming that every attempt to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu had faced strong resistance and ultimately failed.
“History is clear. Those who tried to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu have either been defeated or later changed their stance and aligned with DMK. Tamil Nadu will not tolerate Hindi colonialism replacing British colonialism,” he said.
The union government accused of excessive use of hindi
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister further accused the central government of overusing Hindi in government schemes, awards, and institutions. According to him, this is making non-Hindi speakers feel alienated.
“From the names of schemes to awards to Union government institutions, Hindi has been imposed to a nauseating extent, suffocating non-Hindi speakers, who are the majority in India,” he said.
He ended his statement with a strong declaration, saying, “Men may come, men may go. But even long after the dominance of Hindi is shattered in India, history will remember that it was DMK that stood as the vanguard.”
BJP hits back at Stalin
In response, Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai dismissed Stalin’s accusations, calling them “fake drama.” He claimed that the BJP’s signature campaign had received massive support from the people of Tamil Nadu.
“Thiru MK Stalin, our online signature campaign through PuthiyaKalvi.in is supported by over 2 lakh people within 36 hours, and our on-ground signature campaign continues to receive an overwhelming reception across TN. As the TN CM, you seem visibly rattled, and your rants against the signature campaign mean nothing to us,” Mr. Annamalai posted on social media.
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