Many of us have seen the popular film 3 Idiots, where the character Chatur Ramalingam uses underhanded tactics to outshine his classmates by distracting them with magazines. In a similar vein, Tamil Nadu’s DMK leadership, particularly Chief Minister Stalin, seems to be playing a similar game in the realm of politics. DMK use of fear-mongering over the alleged imposition of Hindi is a calculated attempt to divert attention from its own governance inefficiencies. They should understand that success can also be achieved through continuous self-improvement and promoting unity.
Before diving into the current language debates, let me share a personal experience. During my MBA studies, I was surprised to find that learning Kannada was a mandatory part of the curriculum. Initially, I resisted, but soon I realized that learning the language was crucial to connecting with the people. The warmth and effort the people of Karnataka made to communicate with me in Hindi, while I reciprocated by speaking Kannada, deeply touched me. This exchange not only helped me bond with the people but also made me a fan of the culture. Today, I fondly consider Bangalore my second home, a sentiment I could not have embraced without understanding the local language.
Returning to the current issue, the DMK’s recent comments on Hindi have been both distasteful and misleading. For instance, Dayanidhi Maran’s opposition to the inclusion of Sanskrit in parliamentary translations was not only unnecessary but also lacked merit. Sanskrit is simply an additional option, and no other languages were removed. It’s worth noting that there are over 22 recognized languages in the Indian parliament, yet Maran’s objection was singularly directed at Sanskrit, revealing a deep-seated bias in the DMK leadership’s approach.
Similarly, Stalin recently tweeted about the loss of languages like Bhojpuri due to the imposition of Hindi. His comments are not only factually incorrect but also demonstrate a limited understanding of the linguistic landscape. Languages such as Bhojpuri are thriving, and even stars like Allu Arjun have embraced it during promotional events in regions like Patna. In reality, the only language that has been imposed upon Indians post-independence is English — a language the DMK seems to support far more than Tamil.
The DMK, however, has framed the Hindi debate not as an intellectual issue, but as an emotional one. This serves to solidify their vote bank, capitalizing on the sentiments of the Tamil people. The National Education Policy (NEP) encourages learning three languages, and Hindi is not mandatory. The third language can be any language of choice, yet the DMK does not want the people of Tamil Nadu to learn a third language. Why? Because knowledge and awareness empower individuals, and this would undermine the DMK’s hold over the state. While English is widely accepted in Tamil Nadu, it remains confined to urban areas, leaving the larger population at the mercy of political leaders who dictate what information they should consume.
Over the years, a narrative has been created in Tamil Nadu that casts Hindi-speaking people as the “enemy.” But as the old saying goes, if your entire existence is based on hatred, you cease to have a real purpose. Dravidian leaders, including those in the DMK, have relied heavily on creating fear and division to stay in power. Their electoral strategy revolves around anti-Hindi sentiment, deflecting attention from governance failures, rampant corruption, and unfulfilled promises. Stalin knows that if the election discourse shifts to governance, his party will struggle to explain its track record. But if the focus is on anti-Hindi sentiment, he can easily counter the influence of leaders like Prime Minister Modi.
The DMK faces a greater challenge now because the bonds between the people of Tamil Nadu and other states are getting stronger. Devotees from Tamil Nadu flocked to the Mahakumbh, where they engaged with people from diverse cultures. This has made DMK’s long-standing narrative of fear and division less effective. Decades of promoting hatred to maintain power are slowly beginning to lose its grip.
The emotional appeal surrounding the Hindi language debate may cloud intellectual discussions, but it’s important to recognize that Hindi holds a significant place in India’s identity. Let me share an example. To overcome language barrier between the pilots and air traffic controllers, ground staffs, The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) mandated that English, a widely spoken language that acts as a global link will be the language of communication. Similarly, Hindi serves as a unifying language in India, helping bridge the vast linguistic diversity across the country.
Interestingly, the DMK champions the use of English, even though it is limited to urban centers and spoken primarily by a small segment of the population. English, despite being the only kind of a mandatory language in India’s education system, is not as widely accessible as Hindi, which connects people from the northernmost to the southernmost parts of the country.
Despite the DMK’s opposition, Hindi remains a unifying force for India’s diverse population. It’s time for the DMK to reconsider its stance. Instead of continuing to spread hatred, they should focus on empowering the people by fostering a sense of unity and encouraging learning and growth.
It is crucial to note that, in the past seven decades, the Dravidian parties, including the DMK, have done little to promote the Tamil language outside the state. Instead, they have created an atmosphere of exclusion, limiting Tamil to Tamil Nadu. As awareness grows, the people of Tamil Nadu may soon realize that there is an alternative to this divisive politics and If the DMK does not change its approach, the time may soon come when the people of Tamil Nadu demand a new direction.