'We Won't Be Enslaved By Hindi': Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Hits Out At HM Amit Shah Over Language Push

Stalin clarified that Hindi does not compete with other languages and advocated for the promotion of all Indian languages for the empowerment of the nation.

File Photo Of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday (August 5) slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent call for greater acceptance of Hindi, declaring that "we won't be enslaved by Hindi". During the 38th meeting of the Committee of Parliament on Official Languages in New Delhi, Shah's audacious push for Hindi acceptance drew sharp criticism from Stalin, who expressed his rejection of any form of Hindi hegemony and imposition on Tamil Nadu.

During the meeting, Shah emphasised that Hindi must be accepted without reservation, even if it does so gradually. He clarified that Hindi does not compete with other languages and advocated for the promotion of all Indian languages for the empowerment of the nation.

In response to Shah's remarks, CM Stalin tweeted, "I strongly denounce Union Home Minister @AmitShah's audacious push for Hindi acceptance. It's a blatant attempt to subjugate non-Hindi speakers. Tamil Nadu rejects any form of Hindi hegemony and imposition. Our language and heritage define us – we won't be enslaved by Hindi!"

I strongly denounce Union Home Minister @AmitShah's audacious push for Hindi acceptance. It's a blatant attempt to subjugate non-Hindi speakers. Tamil Nadu rejects any form of Hindi hegemony and imposition. Our language and heritage define us – we won't be enslaved by Hindi!… pic.twitter.com/gNiJ2TGtKm

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 5, 2023

Stalin also urged Shah to consider the "vehement" opposition to imposing Hindi in states such as Karnataka and West Bengal. He reminded the Home Minister of the historic "1965 Anti-Hindi Imposition Agitations" and warned him against inciting similar feelings.

DMK leader Saravanan echoed Stalin's sentiments, criticizing Shah's stance as an indication of arrogance and Hindi hegemony. He alleged that the BJP, by promoting Hindi acceptance, was attempting to divert attention from their perceived failures in Manipur and Haryana.

"That Hindi has to be eventually accepted smacks of arrogance and Hindi hegemony. They (BJP) want to deflect attention on their spectacular failures in Manipur and Haryana," Saravanan was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. 

VIDEO | "That Hindi has to be eventually accepted smacks of arrogance and Hindi hegemony. They (BJP) want to deflect the attention on their spectacular failures in Manipur and Haryana," say DMK leader Saravanan on Amit Shah's remark. pic.twitter.com/Tp4rTLCW0x

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 5, 2023