MOHAMMAD ZIYAUDDIN
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New Delhi – A political war of words erupted on Thursday after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin claimed that Hindi has “swallowed” many Indian languages. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw strongly criticized Stalin’s remarks, calling them a "shallow attempt to divide society" and a way to distract from poor governance.
Vaishnaw's Response: "Divisive Comments Can't Hide Poor Governance"
Hitting back at Stalin, Vaishnaw said:
"Poor governance will never be hidden by such shallow attempts to divide society."
He also brought Congress leader Rahul Gandhi into the debate, questioning whether he agreed with Stalin’s anti-Hindi stance.
"It will be interesting to know what the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi Ji, has to say on this subject. Does he, as MP of a Hindi-speaking seat, agree?"
His remarks suggest that the Hindi vs. regional languages debate is now taking on a national political dimension.
What Did MK Stalin Say About Hindi's Impact on Regional Languages?
The controversy started when MK Stalin posted on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Hindi of causing the decline of many regional languages in India.
He wrote:
"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."
Stalin argued that the push for a dominant Hindi identity has led to the decline of several ancient languages, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
"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."
He also pointed to Tamil Nadu's resistance to Hindi imposition, saying:
"Tamil Nadu resists because we know where this ends. Tamil Awoke; The Culture of the Tamil Race Survived! Some languages made way for Hindi; they disappeared without a trace!"
The Larger Political Context
- The Hindi vs. regional languages debate has long been a sensitive issue, particularly in Southern India, where states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala have opposed Hindi imposition.
- The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been vocal about language rights and the need to protect regional languages from Hindi dominance.
- Stalin’s remarks have reignited a long-standing debate on whether Hindi is eroding the linguistic diversity of India.
With the 2024 elections approaching, this issue could further deepen regional political narratives and fuel North-South language tensions.
What Happens Next?
With Ashwini Vaishnaw bringing Rahul Gandhi into the debate, it remains to be seen how the Congress will respond. Will Gandhi distance himself from Stalin's remarks, or will the DMK’s stance on Hindi gain wider political traction?
This language controversy is far from over, and it could shape future political and cultural discussions across India.
