Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently emphasized that the state will steadfastly uphold its two-language policy, which recognizes Tamil and English as the official languages, rejecting any imposition of a three-language policy advocated by the central government. Addressing a special calling attention motion in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on March 25, he asserted, "There shall be no compromises, come what may." This assertion comes amidst growing tensions regarding language policies in India, as Stalin criticized the union government for what he described as financial atrocities and cultural domination by attempting to impose Hindi.
In his remarks, Stalin pointed out that if federal funding is contingent on the acceptance of Hindi, "then we do not need that money itself; we will protect the Tamil language." The Chief Minister made it clear that Tamil Nadu would reject financial offers—even as high as ₹10,000 crore—should they come with conditions that necessitate learning Hindi. He stated, "This is not a monetary issue; this is a problem faced by our race to protect our youths, students, and the Tamil language."
Stalin recalled the historical backdrop of the two-language policy, noting that it was formally adopted on January 23, 1968, under the leadership of C.N. Annadurai. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring state autonomy and the protection of Tamil linguistic rights. He said, "Only if we ensure state autonomy and uphold the rights of the states can we protect Tamil language and develop the Tamil race.” He promised that he would make an announcement soon regarding further initiatives to protect the state's linguistic heritage.
The discussion in the assembly highlighted broad support for the Tamil two-language policy among various political factions, as DMK legislator N. Ezhilan pointed out that the Official Languages Rules of 1976 exempt Tamil Nadu from compliance with a three-language formula. He emphasized that this policy is an endorsement of Tamil Nadu’s unique cultural identity.
AIADMK deputy floor leader R.B. Udhayakumar also weighed in, asserting the AIADMK's historical commitment to the two-language policy. He underscored the party's past initiatives aimed at promoting the Tamil language, including establishing a dedicated university in Thanjavur and conducting Tamil conferences led by prominent leaders like M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa.
Amid this backdrop, the discourse on the prevalence of languages in education was reignited. According to recent data from the education ministry, out of 1.4 million schools in India, a mere 3.2% in Tamil Nadu offer three languages, a stark contrast to states like Gujarat where over 97% do. This data has been highlighted against the contentious backdrop of the National Education Policy 2020, which advocates the teaching of three languages in schools, raising fears in Tamil Nadu about a possible imposition of Hindi.
BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai responded to critiques of the three-language policy, arguing that it does not mandate Hindi. He stated, "By misrepresenting the policy as an attempt to impose Hindi, the Chief Minister has reinforced the DMK’s hidden agenda." He also highlighted the state government's expenditures on promoting various languages, including Sanskrit, and questioned the DMK's commitment to multilingualism in the state.
The assembly debates regarding language policy underscored a stark divide between regional interests and central mandates. Stalin reinforced the sentiment that Tamil Nadu stands firm against any alterations to its marketed linguistic rights, stating, "When I say Tamil and English are our two languages, there will be no change on that." He emphasized a historical understanding that permitting another language could result in the erosion of Tamil culture.
With the current landscape of language policy in India entangled with identity and financial considerations, the coming days will be pivotal. The DMK government has consistently articulated the view that protecting the Tamil language is crucial not just for linguistic autonomy but as a broader cultural imperative. As the debate unfolds, many will watch closely how leaders like Stalin navigate these intricate issues without compromising their ideals while addressing the realities imposed by central governance.
As Tamil Nadu pushes back against perceived encroachments on its linguistic rights, the implications of these discussions extend far beyond state lines and into the fabric of India's multilingual society. The commitment to a two-language policy remains a vital aspect of Tamil Nadu’s identity, ensuring that as the state looks toward the future, its linguistic heritage will continue to uphold its legacy and cultural pride.
