A fierce debate over language erupted between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Thursday over the alleged imposition of Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking regions.
In a strongly worded social media post, Stalin accused the central government of pushing a “monolithic Hindi identity” at the expense of regional languages. He argued that several languages, including Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, and Garhwali, were being swallowed by Hindi, leaving them “gasping for survival.”
My dear sisters and brothers from other states,
Ever wondered how many Indian languages Hindi has swallowed? Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Magahi, Marwari, Malvi, Chhattisgarhi, Santhali, Angika, Ho, Kharia, Khortha, Kurmali, Kurukh, Mundari and… pic.twitter.com/VhkWtCDHV9
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) February 27, 2025
“The push for a monolithic Hindi identity is what kills ancient mother tongues,” Stalin wrote. “UP and Bihar were never just ‘Hindi heartlands.’ Their real languages are now relics of the past. Tamil Nadu resists because we know where this ends.”
The remarks come amid longstanding resistance in Tamil Nadu to the perceived imposition of Hindi. The state, ruled by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has historically championed Tamil linguistic pride and opposed federal policies promoting Hindi, including the three-language formula in India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy, which encourages Hindi learning in non-Hindi-speaking states, has been met with staunch opposition in Tamil Nadu, where language is deeply tied to identity and politics.
Responding to Stalin’s statements, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, dismissed the remarks as an attempt to deflect from governance issues. “Poor governance will never be hidden by such shallow attempts to divide society,” Vaishnaw wrote on social media.
Poor governance will never be hidden by such shallow attempts to divide society.
It will be interesting to know what the Leader of the Opposition, @RahulGandhi Ji, has to say on this subject. Does he, as MP of a Hindi-speaking seat, agree? https://t.co/Oj2tQseTno
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 27, 2025
Vaishnaw seeks Rahul Gandhi’s take on issue
He also sought the opinion of Congress leader and Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on the issue on grounds that the former Wayanad MP now represents “a Hindi-speaking constituency” (Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh).
Stalin has previously said that that his government is not against Hindi as a language but against its forced imposition. “We won’t oppose if you don’t impose,” he said, adding that forcing Hindi upon Tamil Nadu would be an affront to the self-respect of Tamils.
What is the language row?
The language debate has long been a flashpoint. Tamil Nadu witnessed anti-Hindi protests in the 1960s when the central government attempted to make Hindi the sole official language, a move that was rolled back following intense opposition. Since then, the DMK has positioned itself as a protector of Tamil linguistic identity.
While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has maintained that its policies are aimed at national integration, critics argue that they threaten the country’s linguistic diversity.
