Chennai: A fresh controversy has erupted as passengers booking online train tickets with IRCTC were getting SMS in Hindi language, with the principal Opposition DMK accusing the Centre of trying to impose Hindi in Tamilnadu through ‘insidious’ means.
A complaint was also sent to the IRCTC in this regard and the Centre was urged not to impose Hindi in non-Hindi speaking States.
Accusing the Centre of trying to impose Hindi in Tamilnadu using IRCTC, DMK Central Chennai MP Dayanidhi Maran and South Chennai MP Dr Thamizhachi Thangapandian took to twitter to condemn it and urged the Railway Ministry to stop Hindi imposition.
Tagging on the SMS message received from IRCTC, he sought to know “How does it make any sense to send notifications & communications to passengers in a language alien to us? #stophindilmposition #railways @RailMinIndia @PiyushGoyal @GMSRailway”.
Thamizhachi Thangapandian, in a series of tweets, said Indian constitution recognises 23 languages as its official language. “But IRCTC official is still imposing Hindi on train passengers who book tickets through its website via its ticket booking services”, she said.
“The #GovernmentofIndia despite its promises to not impose Hindi, continues to impose the language through insidious means. Stop forcing Hindi on the non-hindi speaking states #StopHindiImposition”, she said.
PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss also condemned the Centre’s attempt to impose Hindi in the State. In a tweet, he said the Official Language Act 1976 was not applicbale to Tamilnadu.
Since Tamilnadu was located in ‘Region C’ under the Act, all the official announcements and communication should be made only in English.
“Despite this, sending SMS in Hindi is condemnable”, he said and demanded action against those responsible for sending the railway ticket booking SMS in Hindi. Dr Ramadoss said all the Centre-related announcements should be made only in Tamil and English.