NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a sharp swipe at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on March 21, 2025, accusing him and his party, the DMK, of exploiting language issues for political gain and diverting attention from corruption allegations. Shah's remarks came during a debate in Rajya Sabha, where he stated, "Some parties are raking up the language issue for their own politics. They are doing it just to hide their corruption." This statement reflects the ongoing tensions between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre regarding the National Education Policy (NEP) and its three-language formula.
Shah emphasized that the Tamil Nadu government lacks the courage "to provide medical and engineering education in Tamil" because "economic interests will be affected." He did not hold back in his criticism, insisting that the DMK government is reluctant to implement important educational reforms. He also pledged that if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comes to power in Tamil Nadu, the administration would ensure medical and engineering courses are available in Tamil.
Addressing the contentious language debate, Shah asserted that Hindi should not be viewed as a rival to regional languages but rather as a friend. "Hindi is not in competition with any Indian language; it is only a friend of other languages," he said, emphasizing that every Indian language is a treasure for the country.
To showcase the Centre's commitment to linguistic diversity, Shah announced that starting in December 2025, he will conduct all official correspondence with chief ministers, MPs, and ordinary citizens in their respective languages. This announcement aims to foster a more inclusive communication strategy and mitigate perceptions of Hindi imposition. Shah elaborated on this by stating, "The Modi government has established a new department of Indian Languages under the 'Raajbhasha Vibhaag' to promote all Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, and Assamese. There will even be apps for translation," he added.
Shah rejected accusations of the BJP being anti-Tamil or anti-Southern languages, pointing to his own Gujarati roots and noting that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hails from Tamil Nadu. “How is that possible? I come from Gujarat, Nirmala is from Tamil Nadu; we cannot oppose Southern languages,” he remarked. This statement was aimed at quelling concerns raised by some in Tamil Nadu who feel threatened by the perceived dominance of Hindi.
Despite Shah's reassurances, the DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu has been vocal about its opposition to the NEP's three-language formula and has asserted that it will not abandon its longstanding two-language formula of Tamil and English. The central government's push for a three-language approach has resulted in accusations of Hindi imposition and a deliberate undermining of Tamil's centrality in the state's education system.
In response to the escalating tensions, Shah declared, "There have been enough divisions in the nation in the name of language, and it should not happen anymore." This remark echoes sentiments expressed by various stakeholders concerned about national unity and the rising language debates that seem to be dividing the nation further.
In light of these tensions, Shah’s comments served as a strong counterattack against those who he claimed were politicizing the language issue. He implied that some parties, particularly those in power in Tamil Nadu, use language as a shield to distract from more significant issues such as corruption. "Those who take shelter behind the language issue to hide their corruption, this is a strong reply to them," Shah added emphatically.
The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is particularly volatile as the state is gearing up for assembly elections in 2026, and political rhetoric around language is likely to feature prominently in campaign strategies. Shah’s remarks could resonate with the electorate, particularly if they align with the public’s concerns regarding corruption and governance.
As the BJP navigates its relationship with Tamil Nadu, Shah's assertions reveal a strategic focus on language and education policy as potential leverage points in electoral politics. The upcoming elections may determine how successful these strategies will be in altering the balance of power in the state.
In summary, Amit Shah's statements highlight the ongoing rift between the Centre and Tamil Nadu over language issues and educational policies. While he positioned the government as a promoter of linguistic diversity and regional languages, the underlying tensions with the DMK and the implications ahead of the 2026 elections remain palpable. The conflict over the language narrative is far from resolved, suggesting that the coming months will be critical for both the BJP and the DMK in shaping Tamil Nadu’s political future.
