Chennai: After Union Home Minister Amit Shah pitched to make Hindi an alternative to English, #stopHindiImposition started to trend nationwide on Twitter on Saturday. The Twitterati started to trend the hashtag after the Minister said PM Modi has decided to run the government with an official language since it'll increase the importance for Hindi.
Following the statement, politicians cutting across party lines, celebrities and several others took to social media to place #stopHindiImposition on top of the trending chart on Saturday. Another hashtag from Tamil Nadu on the same line, #இந்திதெரியாதுபோடா (I don't know Hindi) was also trending on social media.
Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao said, "Unity in diversity is our strength dear Amit Shah ji. India is a union of states and a true 'Vasudhaika Kutumbam'. Why don't we let people of our nation decide what to eat, what to wear, who to pray to and what language to speak!"
"I am an Indian first, a proud Telugu & Telanganaite next. Can speak in my mother tongue Telugu, English, Hindi & a little bit of Urdu too. To impose Hindi & diss English will be a great disservice to the youngsters of this nation who have global aspirations. #stopHindiImposition," he said.
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Karnataka MLA Anjali Nimbalkar said, "I'm born in Maharashtra and my mother tongue is Marathi. I work in Karnataka as an MLA and I'm a proud Kannada-speaking kannadiga. Amit Shah ji don't impose your Hindi language on me #stopHindiImposition."
Director CS Amudhan posted a clip from his movie where the hero tells that he doesn't know Hindi and quoted the video as an "Annual reminder".
On Saturday, actor Prakash Raj also said, "Don't try to break homes Mr. Home Minister. We dare you #stopHindiImposition we love our diversity. We love our mother tongue. We love our identification."