DMK MP A Raja on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on language, alleging that the BJP-led government was 'sowing division' within the country.
Raja, speaking at an event, responded to the Prime Minister’s recent comments, which suggested that certain factions were attempting to create discord in the nation by exploiting linguistic differences.
"The Prime Minister said in an event that some people are trying to separate the country in the name of language. If you doubt that we will separate the country in the name of language, should we not also doubt that you are trying to divide the country in the name of religion?" Raja said, making his position clear.
He further warned of intensified resistance if the Prime Minister persisted in raising the language issue.
"If you still speak on language, our Deputy Chief (Minister) will say, 'Go Back, Modi.' We (MMK MPs) will say, 'Shut up Modi' in Parliament," Raja asserted.
Dismissing allegations of separatism, Raja insisted, "We are not separatists, but it is you who force us."
Tamil Nadu Congress President Selvaperunthagai also weighed in on the issue, accusing the BJP of attempting to introduce ideological influences into the state.
"BJP is trying to insert RSS ideology in TN. BJP’s dream will never come true," he stated.
PM Modi's call for linguistic unity
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that Indian languages have historically coexisted harmoniously, influencing and enriching each other. He urged the people to remain vigilant against divisive narratives regarding language.
"There has never been any animosity among Indian languages. Languages have always influenced and enriched each other. Often, when efforts are made to create divisions based on language, our shared linguistic heritage provides a strong counterargument. It is our social responsibility to distance ourselves from these misconceptions and to embrace and enrich all languages. That is why today we are looking at all the languages of the country as mainstream languages," the Prime Minister stated.
Also read: Keep away from attempts to create linguistic divisions: PM
Pradhan rebuts Stalin’s concerns
Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan also entered the debate, responding to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s concerns over the ‘Samagra Shiksha’ funds for the state.
Stalin had written to the Prime Minister, questioning the delay in fund disbursement, allegedly linked to Tamil Nadu’s refusal to adopt the three-language policy prescribed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Pradhan rejected Stalin’s allegations, calling them "imaginary concerns" driven by political motives.
"One point I want to re-emphasise is that the NEP is not recommending the imposition of any language on the respective students of a state. That means, in no way the NEP is recommending the imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu," Pradhan clarified during a press briefing.
The dispute over the language policy continues to be a sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu, where successive governments have staunchly opposed any attempt to introduce Hindi into the state's educational system.
The DMK, which has long championed Tamil linguistic identity, remains firm in its opposition to the three-language policy.
Also read: DMK-BJP feud escalates as Annamalai targets Stalin
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