‘This is an ethnic battle’: Stalin blasts Centre for undermining Tamil identity

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has reaffirmed his opposition to the perceived imposition of Hindi, framing it not merely as a language issue but as an ethnic struggle to safeguard Tamil identity and culture.

Speaking at the inauguration of Kalaignar Kalaiyarangam, a new auditorium built at Nandanam Government Arts College in memory of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Stalin said, “This is not just a language struggle. It also continues to be an ethnic struggle to protect Tamil culture.”

Stalin recalled Tamil Nadu’s long history of resistance against Hindi dominance, pointing to the 1956 anti-Hindi student protests and Karunanidhi’s 1986 speech at the same college. “Students revolution only safeguarded Tamil Nadu from Hindi imposition,” he said.

He criticised the union government’s policies such as the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the New Education Policy (NEP), and the three-language formula, suggesting they are part of a broader attempt to impose Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states.

“The union government troubles the students, which is seen as a threat to our education, with NEET, NEP, and the three-language policy. You (students) have to understand all tactics behind this,” Stalin warned.

He added, “Tamil Nadu’s base is Tamil only. Tamil is being threatened in various ways. They brought three language policy, new education policy, NEET and only intention of all is to impose Hindi somehow. Students have to be alert and should understand the truth.”

Stalin credited Tamil leaders including Periyar, CN Annadurai, and M Karunanidhi for their leadership in resisting Hindi imposition. “We continue to fight against the imposition of Hindi by the dominant forces under the leadership of our leaders, including Father Periyar, Grandmaster Anna, Muthamizhar Kalaignar, and the Honourable Chief Minister,” he said.

The National Education Policy 2020 and its three-language formula remain a key source of tension between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre. Chief Minister MK Stalin has previously called it a “saffronise policy” designed to promote Hindi at the expense of regional languages like Tamil. He has asserted that such policies pose a direct threat to Tamil Nadu’s education system and cultural autonomy.

The auditorium, named after Karunanidhi and built at a cost of Rs 4.8 crore, symbolises the legacy of Tamil leaders who have long resisted linguistic and cultural homogenisation.