T.N. will never allow Hindi imposition, says Udhayanidhi Stalin

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday asserted that Tamil Nadu would never allow imposition of Hindi imposition, although efforts were made through different means, including under the pretext of promoting a three-language policy.

Inaugurating the birth centenary celebrations of ‘Isai Murasu’ Nagore E.M. Hanifa organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations at the Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University campus here, Mr. Udhayanidhi drew parallels between former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Hanifa, recalling that both were drawn towards Periyar’s ideals and were shaped by the anti-Hindi agitations. Tamil Nadu had “proved its resistance” during movements led first by Periyar and later by C.N. Annadurai and warned that a similar attempt was being made again.

Referring to a Union Minister’s reported remark that Tamil Nadu would receive “₹2,000 crore” only if it accepted the three-language policy, Mr. Udhayanidhi said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had made the State’s position clear. “Be it ₹2,000 crore or ₹10,000 crore, we will not allow Hindi imposition on Tamil Nadu,” he quoted the Chief Minister as saying and added that the stand came from an understanding of Tamil Nadu’s history and the language movements that defined the State.

He reiterated that Tamil Nadu would continue with a two-language policy and said that “as long as Hanifa’s voice is in the air,” Hindi imposition would not be allowed.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Udhayanidhi inaugurated the E.M. Nagore Hanifa Centenary Park near the Silladi dargah in Nagore and opened it for public use. At the centenary programme, he released a special commemorative publication and honoured Hanifa’s heirs and family members.

Sailing school opened

He inaugurated a sailing training centre at the Nagapattinam port, aimed at training school students, particularly children from fishers families and government schools, with safety and swimming orientation.

Later, he attended a DMK’s youth wing meeting in Nagapattinam where newly appointed functionaries were introduced and urged them to engage with people on the ground and respond to misinformation on social media.