CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has once again stirred political waters with his controversial statements regarding the imposition of Hindi and the identity of Tamil culture. Speaking at a wedding ceremony in Natham, Dindigul district, on October 21, he emphatically declared, “As long as DMK is in the state, none can touch Tamil, Tamil people, and Dravidam.” This statement underlines the DMK’s longstanding commitment to preserving Tamil identity and opposing perceived encroachments on the state’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Stalin’s comments were particularly directed at recent controversies surrounding attempts to alter cultural expressions in Tamil Nadu. He asserted that many people are trying to impose Hindi “desperately,” especially through indirect means. Specifically, he referenced a recent incident involving the renowned Tamil Thai Vaazhthu (Tamil Thai Greeting) song, where certain words were allegedly omitted during a performance at a Doordarshan Kendra event. Udhayanidhi alleged that this was a deliberate act orchestrated by the Governor.
“When their attempts do not succeed, they try to remove the word Dravidam,” he said, further condemning the Central Government’s New Education Policy, which he believes seeks to elevate Hindi over regional languages. He stressed that DMK workers and the Tamil populace would resist any efforts to diminish Tamil culture and identity.
The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s previous controversies, including attempts to rename Tamil Nadu to “Tamizhagam.” His rhetoric underscores a belief that the state’s identity is being threatened, emphasizing, “As long as DMK workers and Tamil people are here, none can touch Tamil, Tamil people, and Dravidam.”
In a reference to the ongoing criticisms from the BJP and its allies, Udhayanidhi remarked, “Politics and spirituality can never be mixed in Tamil Nadu.” He strongly criticised former Telangana Governor Tamil Isai Soundararajan for her perceived endorsement of Hindi over Tamil. He accused the central government of recently changing the name of the Tamil channel ‘Podhigai’ to ‘DD Tamil’ as an affront to the Tamil identity.
Tamil Isai Soundararajan, in response, took to social media platform X (previously Twitter) to counter Udhayanidhi’s claims, positing that “Spirituality and Politics will go together in Tamil Nadu, and it can’t be separated.” She accused CM MK Stalin of attempting to create an illusion that the BJP and the Union government are indifferent to the Tamil language, dismissing Udhayanidhi’s rhetoric as political theater in light of recent events.
Soundararajan posed challenging questions regarding the DMK leaders’ commitment to Tamil, questioning how many DMK ministers ensure their children study Tamil and follow the three-language formula in schools. She highlighted what she described as failures in Tamil language examinations among students.
தமிழகத்தில் ஆன்மீகமும், அரசியலும் கலக்கத்தான் செய்யும் – பாஜக மூத்த தலைவர் தமிழிசை செளந்தரராஜன் @DrTamilisai4BJP @DDNewslive @MIB_India pic.twitter.com/qLEoYiR83b
— DD Tamil News (@DDTamilNews) October 20, 2024
Adding fuel to the fire, DMK MP A Raja engaged with the contentious narrative of ‘Dravidam,’ clarifying that it represents a geographical concept rather than an ethnic race. He argued that the term has roots in Sanskrit, indicating a deeper historical connection to the southern lands known for their richness in biodiversity and culture.
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, responded assertively, stating, “This is not the 1960s. The DMK’s attempt to engage in language politics will not work.” He emphasised that the Union government has taken steps to promote the Tamil language and is not indifferent to the anxieties raised by the DMK.
In parallel, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, RN Ravi, hosted an event at Sastra University, where he anchored discussions on development goals for the institution. He emphasised a vision of unity and collective growth, drawing from the Sangam literary ethos that speaks of familial connectedness among all Indians—a stark contrast to the DMK’s narrative of cultural insularity.
Udhayanidhi Stalin also faced legal repercussions over previous comments likening ‘Sanatan Dharma’ to diseases like dengue and malaria, asserting that such beliefs warrant eradication. He remains defiant, stating, “What I said is said. I’m Kalignar’s grandson, and I won’t apologise.” He maintained that his comments have been misconstrued and that he is prepared to face legal challenges stemming from the controversy.
Social media responded with mixed reactions, with Anand Ranganathan tweeting his agreement with Udhayanidhi’s refusal to apologize, suggesting that it is the judiciary, rather than the politician, that should be held accountable for the quality of public discourse.
