Language Politics: The Hindi-Tamil Controversy in India

The VHP criticizes the DMK's rejection of Hindi as the common language, accusing it of separating Tamil Nadu from national progress. The ongoing controversy over the National Education Policy's three-language formula escalates with pro-Tamil activists defacing Hindi signs, while the DMK persists in its opposition.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has criticized the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for opposing Hindi as India's common language, claiming the party is attempting to isolate Tamil Nadu from national progress. This dispute arises amid tensions over the National Education Policy's (NEP) three-language formula for schools.

VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain asserts that Hindi, not Tamil, is the solution to unify the country linguistically. Despite DMK's strong opposition, calling it an imposition of Hindi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan refuted the claim, labelling the controversy as mere politics and affirming voluntary language choices for states.

Pro-Tamil activists have heightened tensions, defacing Hindi text on railway signs with black paint, resulting in penal actions. Jain counters DMK's language politics, highlighting Tamil Nadu's deep Hindu cultural ties, and criticizes actions like opposing Sanskrit translations in the Lok Sabha.

(With inputs from agencies.)