Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin reiterated his party’s strong opposition to Hindi imposition and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), warning that both threaten Tamil identity and social justice.

Addressing the DMK South Zone Youth Wing Conference in Virudhunagar district on Saturday, Stalin said the Dravidian movement had historically safeguarded the Tamil language through sustained struggles. He accused the Centre of attempting to impose Hindi under the guise of the three-language policy.

“Whenever our mother tongue, Tamil, was in danger, we fought relentlessly to protect it. Even today, under the guise of the three-language policy, attempts are being made to impose Hindi. They believe that if they destroy our language, they can erase our identity. We will never allow that to happen,” Stalin said.

The Chief Minister also criticised centralised education policies, particularly NEET, alleging that such examinations disproportionately affect students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds. He said the test undermines the principles of social justice and equal opportunity.

“There was a time when education was restricted, and jobs were out of reach for many communities. Reservation policies helped us correct that injustice. But now, through exams like NEET, they are trying to recreate the old system and shut the doors again,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister and DMK Youth Wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin urged young party workers to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level and carry forward the message of state rights, linguistic pride and social equality.

The conference, which saw large participation from cadres and youth volunteers across southern Tamil Nadu, is part of the DMK’s broader mobilisation strategy ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Party leaders said the youth wing would play a pivotal role in promoting Dravidian ideology and opposing policies viewed as detrimental to Tamil Nadu’s interests.

The event concluded with resolutions reaffirming the DMK’s commitment to federalism, social equity, and the protection of the Tamil language and culture.

IANS