‘Even letters I get aren’t signed in Tamil’: PM Modi mocks MK Stalin over Hindi row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a sharp but veiled swipe at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the ongoing Hindi imposition debate over the New Education Policy (NEP). Addressing a public gathering in Rameswaram after the launch of the India's first vertical lift sea bridge, the 'Pamban Bridge', PM Modi remarked that while MK Stalin and other Tamil Nadu leaders often champions the Tamil language and alleged Hindi imposition in political discourse, none of the letters he receives from Tamil leaders are actually signed in Tamil.

Without naming anyone, PM Narendra Modi said he gets letters from leaders of Tamil Nadu and “they do not sign in Tamil.”

“The Government is constantly working to ensure that the Tamil language and Tamil heritage reach every corner of the world. Sometimes, I am surprised when I receive letters from some leaders of Tamil Nadu, none of them are signed in Tamil. If we are proud of Tamil, then I would request everyone to at least sign their name in Tamil,” PM Modi said without naming any Tamil Nadu leader in his address.

The prime minister said efforts were on to take Tamil language, heritage to all corners of the world.

PM Modi's comments come as the Central and the Tamil Nadu governments are engaged in a war of words over alleged imposition of Hindi through the three-language policy in NEP. While the Centre has dismissed all imposition allegations, the Tamil Nadu leaders and other Opposition parties have continued to resist implementation of the education policy.

Further, he batted for teaching medicine in Tamil medium in the state so that students from poor families are benefitted. PM Modi, referring to beneficiaries from the state in respect of several initiatives said despite increased allocation to Tamil Nadu, some “cry” over funds.

The prime minister also asked the Tamil Nadu government to impart medical education in Tamil medium to benefit the poor.