By Amit Shah Backs Tamil Language in Education Amidst Language Row
Chennai: In a direct response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s criticism of the Centre’s alleged push for “Hindi imposition,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah has urged the DMK-led state government to introduce engineering and medical education in Tamil. His remarks came during the 56th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Thakkolam in Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu.
Centre’s Initiative to Promote Regional Languages
Amit Shah’s statement comes at a time when Tamil Nadu has been vocal about the alleged imposition of Hindi and the delimitation exercise. Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to regional languages, Shah highlighted that the Narendra Modi-led government had made significant changes, allowing CISF aspirants to write their exams in their respective regional languages, including Tamil.
“Now the PM Narendra Modi government has ensured that the exam can be written in Tamil too,” Shah said, reinforcing the Centre’s push for linguistic inclusivity in national-level exams.
Tamil Nadu’s Opposition to ‘Hindi Imposition’
The Tamil Nadu government, under CM MK Stalin, has consistently opposed any move perceived as imposing Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states. The DMK has historically championed Tamil as the primary medium of education and governance, resisting attempts to introduce Hindi in the state’s curriculum.
With Shah’s call for professional courses to be taught in Tamil, the spotlight is now on the Tamil Nadu government’s response. While the state has introduced Tamil-medium education in various fields, medical and engineering courses continue to be primarily offered in English.
Implications of Introducing Tamil in Professional Courses
If Tamil Nadu implements Shah’s suggestion, it could lead to a significant transformation in the state’s higher education sector. Introducing Tamil as a medium of instruction in medical and engineering courses would require:
- Development of high-quality textbooks and reference materials in Tamil.
- Training of faculty members to teach complex scientific and technical subjects in Tamil.
- Coordination with professional bodies to ensure Tamil-medium graduates can compete nationally and internationally.
Experts believe that while the move could strengthen Tamil language education, it could also pose challenges for students seeking opportunities outside Tamil Nadu.
Political Angle:
Amit Shah’s remarks are seen as a strategic counter to DMK’s allegations of Hindi imposition. The BJP has been making inroads in Tamil Nadu, and linguistic issues remain a crucial factor in electoral politics. By advocating for Tamil-medium professional courses, the BJP aims to align with Tamil sentiments while simultaneously countering accusations of promoting Hindi at the expense of regional languages.