All 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule have equal rights; more people in the country are non-Hindi speakers, TN CM reminds Centre.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the imposition of Hindi across India. (Supplied)
Attempts to impose Hindi are impractical and divisive and will put non-Hindi-speaking people in a disadvantageous position, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter he released to the public on Sunday, 16 October.
The letter was based on media reports on the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Committee on Official Languages.
It has been reported that the Home Minister Amit Shah-chaired panel has recommended Hindi as the compulsory medium of instruction in educational institutions.
Stalin’s letter came a day after the youth wing of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) took out protest rallies across Tamil Nadu, against the Centre’s move to impose Hindi.
The chief minister had in a statement on October 10 asked the BJP-led central government to desist from imposing Hindi on non-Hindi states, and urged New Delhi “not to force another language war.”
In the demi-official letter to Modi — which he posted on Twitter — Stalin voiced concern over reports that said the committee has recommended Hindi mandatory for certain jobs.
“These are all against the federal principles of our Constitution and will only harm the multi-lingual fabric of our nation,” the DMK leader pointed out.
Reminding that all 22 languages, including Tamil, in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, have equal rights, Stalin said more people in the country are non-Hindi speakers.
“I am sure you would appreciate that every language has its own speciality with its uniqueness and linguistic culture. It is with the objective of protecting our rich and unique languages from the imposition of Hindi that English has been made the link language and continues to be one of the official languages,” he told Modi.
Such impractical, divisive attempts will put non-hindi states people in a disadvantageous position & jeopardise the spirit of the union – state relations.#StopHindiImposition!
Make all languages in the 8th Schedule as Official Languages!
Uphold the unity of India! 2/2 pic.twitter.com/y9yAOicZJj
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 16, 2022
The chief minister also drew attention to the sacrifices made by “several brave young men of Tamil Nadu” in 1965 against the imposition of Hindi and to defend their mother tongue.”
The letter also reminded Modi of the assurance made by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that “English will continue to be one of the official languages as long as the non-Hindi speaking people want.”
Resolutions on official languages passed in 1968 and 1976, too, ensured the use of both English and Hindi in Union government services, the letter said.
Stalin urged the Centre to treat all regional languages, including Tamil, equally to ensure the principle of unity in diversity.
The inclusive and harmonious policies followed so far have made the nation a shining example of multicultural and multilinguistic democracy.
“But, I am afraid, the continued efforts to promote Hindi in the name of ‘one nation’ will destroy the feeling of the brotherhood of people of different languages and cultures and is detrimental to the integrity of India,” Stalin voiced his concern.
He suggested the Union Government include all languages, including Tamil, in the Eighth Schedule, “to keep open avenues of progress in terms of education and employment equal to speakers of all languages.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Telangana’s Minister for Information Technology and Industries KT Rama Rao, too, have decried the reported move to force Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states.
Apr 26, 2024
Apr 25, 2024
Apr 25, 2024
Apr 25, 2024
Apr 25, 2024
Apr 25, 2024
