'Ever wondered how many Indian languages Hindi has swallowed?'

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday strongly opposed the three-language policy in the state, asserting that the push for a "monolithic Hindi identity" is responsible for the decline of ancient regional languages.

Taking to social media platform X, Stalin claimed that Hindi had "swallowed" several Indian languages, including Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Braj, and Garhwali, which are now struggling to survive.

"My dear sisters and brothers from other states. Ever wondered how many Indian languages Hindi has swallowed? Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Magahi, Marwari, Malvi, Chhattisgarhi, Santhali, Angika, Ho, Kharia, Khortha, Kurmali, Kurukh, Mundari and many more are now gasping for survival. The push for a monolithic Hindi identity is what kills ancient mother tongues. UP and Bihar were never just 'Hindi heartlands.' Their real languages are now relics of the past. Tamil Nadu resists because we know where this ends," the post read.

Amit Shah attacks DMK

On Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu, accusing its leaders of corruption and misgovernance.

Speaking at the inauguration of BJP district offices in Coimbatore, Tiruvannamalai, and Ramanathapuram, Shah said, "In cases of corruption, all the leaders of the DMK hold a master's degree. One of their leaders is embroiled in a cash-for-jobs case, another is involved in money laundering and illegal sand mining, and a third is facing charges related to disproportionate assets."

Rejecting CM MK Stalin's allegations that Tamil Nadu was denied Central funds, Shah said, "There is no truth in MK Stalin's statement. The Modi government has given Rs 5 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu in the last five years."

"The Chief Minister often claims that the state has faced injustice at the hands of the Centre. However, a comparison of funds disbursed under the UPA and NDA reveals that the real injustice happened during the UPA regime," he further added.

Congress announces protests against Amit Shah’s visit

On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President Selvaperunthagai announced that protests would be held against Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Coimbatore on February 26. The protests are in response to the three-language policy, the New Education Policy, and alleged remarks against former Law and Justice Minister Bhimrao Ambedkar in Parliament.

"Our Union Home Minister will visit Coimbatore. Democratically we are going to protest against him by showing black flags. He is continuously attacking Tamil Nadu and is against the state government's proposals. Three language policy, the Prime Minister Education Scheme and the New Education Policy. He attacked Baba Saheb Ambedkar in the Parliament, so whenever he will come to the state, the Congress Committee has decided to protest against him by showing black flags," TNCC chief Selvaperunthagai told reporters on Tuesday.

Tamil organisations to join protest

Tamil organisations and state parties have also announced their participation in the protests, stating that they will display black flags to Amit Shah as a mark of dissent. They have accused the central government of attempting to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu, despite the Union government maintaining that it respects the Tamil language and is not enforcing any other language on the state.

ANI