Amid the ongoing debate over the three-language policy outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has once again voiced his strong opposition to the BJP-led central government. On Thursday, Stalin took to social media to condemn the Centre’s approach toward language imposition, citing a well-known quote: “When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.”
Stalin stated that this quote accurately reflects how certain “entitled bigots” perceive Tamil Nadu’s demand for linguistic equality. He argued that while Tamil Nadu stands for equal treatment of languages, its stance is often misrepresented as chauvinistic or anti-national by some groups. His remarks directly addressed the criticisms made by BJP leaders, who have frequently questioned the patriotism of the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government.
BJP’s Accusations on Patriotism
Stalin strongly refuted allegations that his party lacks nationalistic credentials. He pointed out that the DMK government has historically contributed significantly to national causes, including financial support during critical periods such as the Chinese Aggression, the Bangladesh Liberation War, and the Kargil War. In contrast, he accused the BJP’s ideological forefathers of glorifying Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.
“The very people who glorify Godse’s ideology dare to question the patriotism of the DMK and its government,” Stalin remarked. He further emphasized that advocating for linguistic equality should not be equated with being anti-national. According to him, true chauvinism lies in the imposition of Hindi and the systematic marginalization of non-Hindi-speaking states like Tamil Nadu.
Allegations of Chauvinism and Marginalization
In his statement, Stalin accused the central government of linguistic chauvinism, particularly in the context of its legal reforms. He criticized the Centre for naming the three new criminal laws in a language that many Tamil speakers find difficult to pronounce or understand.
“Chauvinism is naming the three criminal laws that govern 140 crore citizens in a language that Tamils cannot even pronounce or comprehend by reading,” he stated. He further accused the central government of treating Tamil Nadu as a second-class state despite its substantial contributions to the nation’s economy and progress. According to Stalin, the state’s refusal to accept the NEP 2020 should not be used as an excuse to deny it its fair share of resources and representation.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also issued a warning against the dangers of forced linguistic assimilation. He argued that imposing a particular language on non-native speakers would only foster division and weaken the unity of the nation. “The true chauvinists and anti-nationals are the Hindi zealots who believe their entitlement is natural, but our resistance is treason,” he asserted.
Calls for Concrete Actions Over Symbolic Gestures
A day before his latest remarks, Stalin had criticized the central government’s approach to promoting Tamil, urging it to move beyond mere symbolism. He questioned the BJP’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a deep love for Tamil, stating that such affection has not been reflected in meaningful policy actions.
“If the BJP’s claim that our Hon’ble PM has great love for Tamil is true, why is it never reflected in action?” Stalin asked. He called for practical measures, such as making Tamil an official language on par with Hindi and allocating more funds for its development instead of focusing on Sanskrit, which he described as a “dead language.” He further argued that rather than installing the Sengol (a traditional Tamil symbol) in Parliament, the government should remove Hindi from Union government offices in Tamil Nadu to ensure linguistic inclusivity.
BJP’s Response: Counter-Questions on Tamil Development Efforts
Responding to Stalin’s criticisms, BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai questioned the DMK’s contributions to the promotion of Tamil beyond the state’s borders. He challenged Stalin and the DMK to provide evidence of their efforts in propagating Tamil on a national or global level while in power.
“What were your achievements in propagating our Tamil language beyond the borders of Tamil Nadu while in power in the State and the Centre? Did anyone obstruct DMK from doing it?” Annamalai asked. He also pointed out that the Tamil Development Centre programme was initially launched by the previous AIADMK government and questioned whether Stalin had taken any significant steps to expand it further.
With a passion for news writing and a deep interest in Journalism, Bowrna wants to write articles that create an impact. Not only writing, she also has a passion for voiceovers and also aspires to become a Radio Jockey in the future. When not writing, she likes to listen to songs and dance to her heart's content. She is proficient in English, Tamil and Hindi.
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