Slamming the BJP-led Union government for its attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan has called the move anti-Constitutional and a threat to India’s pluralism and democracy.Speaking to journalists at Chennai Airport on Tuesday, the Chidambaram MP accused the BJP government of systematically trying to convert non-Hindi speakers, particularly South Indians, into Hindi speakers. He alleged that this was part of the BJP’s larger agenda of implementing its “one nation, one culture, one language” policy. However, he emphasized that such an attempt would never succeed in Tamil Nadu.
Thirumavalavan described the Hindi imposition as a pre-planned political strategy under the guise of the National Education Policy (NEP). “The real intention is to ensure that non-Hindi speakers gradually adopt Hindi as their language over the next decade. This is what we strongly oppose. It is shocking that the Union government refuses to reconsider its stance, despite widespread opposition. Such a move is a direct violation of the Constitution and democratic principles,” he stated.
The VCK leader reminded that Hindi imposition is not a new issue, pointing out that the Congress government in the 1960s had also attempted a similar move. “We opposed it then, and we oppose it now. Even if Congress returns to power and tries to enforce Hindi, we will resist it again,” he asserted, making it clear that Tamil Nadu will not compromise on its bilingual policy of learning only Tamil and English.
Under the PM SHRI scheme, the Central government is establishing schools that mandate the learning of three languages—the mother tongue, English, and a third Indian language. However, Thirumavalavan questioned the rationale behind the implementation of this policy.
“In Hindi-speaking states, students whose mother tongue is Hindi are required to learn only two languages—Hindi and English. But in non-Hindi speaking states, students are being forced to learn Hindi along with their mother tongue and English. Why this discrimination?” he asked.
Thirumavalavan also urged leaders of the INDIA alliance to be vigilant about the BJP’s language policy. He stated that just because some parties are part of the opposition alliance, they should not be pressured into accepting the three-language policy. He reassured that the DMK and other regional parties remain firm in opposing Hindi imposition and will continue to defend the linguistic rights of Tamil Nadu.