DMK cries foul over Centre's directive on Hindi

By V Prem Shanker

CHENNAI: After a stinging electoral defeat, DMK has been handed an opportunity to go back to its pet theme of anti-Hindi imposition. And while party chief M Karunanidhi did not let go of the chance, some say his protest has been rather meek.

ET reported on June 17 that the home ministry has asked bureaucrats to use Hindi on social media sites. Reacting to this, the DMK chief has said, “Nobody can deny that this is the beginning of imposition of Hindi language against the wishes of someone, through a government order.” Karunanidhi said, “It is in the interest of all those well-wishers of the nation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi rather focus on economic progress and social development.”

Referring to the 1960s ‘anti-Hindi imposition’ agitation across TN, which was spearheaded by DMK, Karunanidhi said “the battlefield of language wars have still not gone dry.” But observers like Tamil writer Arunan said Karunanidhi’s reaction is mild. “He does not want to make enemies out of BJP or Congress at the Centre. But the reaction is a valid one,” he said.