Now, Tamil Nadu Governer versus CM Stalin on Hindi row
The Hindi imposition row took a fresh turn on Friday with Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi attributing lack of opportunities for the state's youth to the ruling dispensation's rigid two-language formula.
"This region is rich in human and natural resources and yet it feels like a neglected backyard. Despite the huge potential for industrialisation, people here feel a lack of opportunities. Problems of substance and drug abuse among youth are serious. There is huge demand for implementation of the NEP (National Education Policy) 2020. The youth of this region feel hugely deprived of opportunities compared to those from neighboring states due to the rigid two-language policy of the state government. They feel that unfortunately in the name of opposition to Hindi they are not allowed to study even any other South Indian languages. This is indeed unfair. Our youth must have a choice to study language," TN Raj Bhavan's X handle quoted Ravi as saying.
State Law Minister S Regupathy responded to Ravi asking him not to impart lessons to Tamils about their language affinity.
"Unable to stand the strides made by Tamil Nadu in economy and education, Governor Ravi has been spewing hatred against the state. Can the governor specify in which sector was south Tamil Nadu lagging behind?" asked the law minister in a statement.
He said as compared to other states, Tamil Nadu had made uncomparable strides in education, medicine and economy and this was evident from union government data.
"These achievements were possible due to Tamil Nadu's two-language policy. Aren't the Tamils aware of the plans of hegemonic people to impose Hindi through the NEP," he said.
Chief Minister MK Stalin further intensified his anti-Hindi campaign saying "BJP leaders advocating Hindi insist that you must know Hindi to buy tea, pani puri, or use toilets in North India. But in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), forcing any language as a third language in schools was unnecessary. Advanced translation technology already removes language barriers instantly. Students should not be burdened with extra languages."
Stalin said instead, students should focus on mastering their mother tongue and English while gaining expertise in science and technology and if needed, they can learn any language later. "True progress lies in innovation, not linguistic imposition. #Long Live Tamil #StopHindiImposition," Stalin said.
Stalin has been opposing the National Education Policy's three language thrust -- mother tongue, English and a third language of choice. Stalin says the third language option invariably points to Sanskrit or Hindi.
