Tamil Nadu CM Stalin alleges Hindi imposition; says CISF cop intimidated Tamil woman in Goa over Hindi

Wondering who would tell the CISF personnel that Hindi is designated only as an official language in the Constitution and not as the national language, the Chief Minister said that India, federal in structure, is a land of people speaking various languages.

Using the hashtag #StopHindiImposition, Stalin said, “In airports, the CISF personnel must extend due respect to all languages and strengthen federalism.”

Also Read: Stalin reaches out to Hindi media, explains stand on Hindi imposition

‘Discrimination has no place in India’

Further speaking on the issues, Stalin said, “The recurring incidents of passengers from non-Hindi speaking states facing harassment by CISF personnel for not knowing Hindi and being forced to accept the misguided notion that Hindi is the national language of India are deeply concerning.”

Speaking in support of the passenger, he added, “As the passenger Sharmilaa rightly pointed out, this is not just an issue concerning individuals but reflects a systemic insensitivity. It is imperative that the CISF takes immediate steps to sensitise its personnel on how to treat passengers and educate them about the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of our Union.”

The Chief Minister further wrote, “Discrimination has no place in our #INDIA; let’s ensure equal respect for all languages.”

கோவா விமான நிலையத்தில் தமிழ்ப் பெண் ஒருவரிடம் இந்தியில் பேசி, அவர் இந்தி தெரியாது என்று சொன்னதும் @CISFHqrs வீரர் ஒருவரால் மிரட்டப்பட்டுள்ளார். “தமிழ்நாடு இந்தியாவில்தானே இருக்கிறது” என்றும், “இந்தியாவில் உள்ள அனைவரும் இந்தியைக் கற்றாக வேண்டும்” என்றும் பாதுகாப்புப் படை வீரர்…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 14, 2023

Also read: Siddaramaiah joins ‘Hindi imposition’ chorus

‘CISF is not for conducting Hindi lessons’

Reacting to the same incident, Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also condemned the alleged harassment.

Taking to the social media platform X, he said, “Regardless of the fact that she was with a child, she said, “Hindi is the national language. ‘Don’t you know this?’ I strongly condemn the incident of coercion and intimidation.”

Criticising the CISF, Udhayanidhi said, “It is no longer acceptable for such incidents to continue at airports. The Central Force is for security — not for conducting Hindi lessons.”

He further wrote: “In the multi-lingual Indian Union, the continued imposition of Hindi on the people who speak other languages ​​is against the philosophy of federalism. The Union Government should not take such a trend and take immediate action. Fascists must understand that the right to language is also a human right.”

கோவா விமான நிலையத்தில் @CISFHQrs வீரர்கள் இந்தியில் பேசியது புரியவில்லை என்று தமிழ்நாட்டைச் சேர்ந்த பெண் ஒருவர் கூறிய போது, அவர் குழந்தையுடன் வந்திருக்கிறார் என்றும் பாராமல், “இந்தி தான் தேசிய மொழி. இது கூட தெரியாதா” என கூகுள் செய்து பார்க்கச் சொல்லி வற்புறுத்தி – மிரட்டிய…

— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) December 14, 2023

(With PTI inputs)