Amit Shah Defends Modi Govt’s Language Policies Amid Stalin’s Criticism

Chennai, 7th March 2025: Hours after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the Centre for allegedly promoting Hindi among non-Hindi speakers, Home Minister Amit Shah called on the state government to introduce medical and engineering courses in Tamil. Mr. Shah asserted that the DMK leader had not taken sufficient steps in this direction and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration for implementing recruitment policy changes that allow regional languages.

“Until now, mother tongues were not accommodated in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Constable recruitment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that young aspirants can now write their CAPF exams in all Eighth Schedule languages, including Tamil,” said Mr. Shah. “I urge the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to take immediate action to introduce medical and engineering curricula in Tamil.”

In 2023, the Centre approved the conduct of CAPF exams in 13 regional languages, including Tamil, shortly after Mr. Stalin objected to the decision to hold them solely in Hindi and English.

In a strongly worded social media post, Mr. Stalin accused the Union government of using the National Education Policy (NEP) as a tool for Hindi imposition, calling it a direct threat to Tamil Nadu’s linguistic identity.

“The tree may wish for stillness, but the wind does not relent,” Mr. Stalin wrote, claiming that the controversy stemmed from statements made by the Union Education Minister.

“It was the Union Education Minister who provoked this exchange by overstepping and attempting to coerce an entire state into accepting Hindi. Tamil Nadu will not be bullied into submission,” he said, adding that the state had already accomplished the NEP’s 2030 objectives long ago.

“This is like an LKG student trying to lecture a PhD scholar. Tamil Nadu does not take instructions from Delhi; instead, we lead the way for the country,” he asserted.

He also criticized the BJP’s recent signature campaign in favor of the NEP and the three-language policy.

“The BJP’s signature campaign for the three-language formula has become a laughing stock in Tamil Nadu. I challenge them to make this a key issue in the 2026 Assembly elections and turn it into a referendum on Hindi imposition,” he wrote.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes a three-language approach but explicitly states that no language will be enforced on any state. Despite this, the policy has seen no acceptance in Tamil Nadu, where the ruling DMK firmly upholds the existing two-language system.

The DMK argues that Tamil Nadu has prospered under its current system, making an additional language unnecessary. The BJP, on the other hand, contends that adopting a three-language model would be advantageous for people when traveling across India.

Citing historical trends, Mr. Stalin pointed out that past attempts to introduce Hindi in Tamil Nadu were consistently met with resistance, either resulting in the defeat of those pushing for it or their eventual alignment with the DMK.

“History has shown that every effort to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu has either led to the downfall of its proponents or forced them to change course and side with the DMK. Tamil Nadu will not trade British colonialism for Hindi colonialism,” he remarked.

He further accused the Union government of excessively incorporating Hindi into government schemes, awards, and institutions, which, he argued, marginalized non-Hindi speakers.

“From government initiatives to awards and institutional names, Hindi has been imposed to an unbearable degree, suffocating the majority of Indians who are non-Hindi speakers,” he stated. “Governments may come and go, but long after Hindi dominance is dismantled in India, history will remember the DMK as the force that stood firm.”

Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai dismissed Mr. Stalin’s allegations, calling them a “manufactured controversy” over Hindi imposition.

“Thiru MK Stalin, our online signature drive through PuthiyaKalvi.in has gained support from over 2 lakh people within 36 hours, and our on-ground campaign continues to see a massive response across Tamil Nadu. Your outburst against this campaign is proof that you are unsettled, but your rants hold no significance for us,” Mr. Annamalai posted on social media.