Latest news with #anti-Hindi
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Hatred for Modi is being projected onto Hindi': Pawan Kalyan on language controversy
Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister and actor Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday addressed the ongoing language controversy and the debate around the 'imposition of Hindi.' Responding to allegations that the Centre is forcing Hindi across states, Kalyan said the current discourse reflects how resentment against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being redirected toward the Hindi language. Stating that English has become his language of thought, the Janasena founder expressed sadness that he could not find the same in Hindi or Kannada or Marathi.(@APDeputyCMO) Speaking to India Today, Kalyan stressed that no language should be forced on anyone, underlining his commitment to unity. 'No language should be imposed on anybody. I stand for national integrity,' he said. He criticised the anti-Hindi stance taken by some political leaders in Telangana, calling it politically motivated. 'It's surprising. I think this is more about the hatred towards BJP or Modiji, and that hatred is being transferred onto Hindi. That's how I see it,' he stated. His comments come amid ongoing tensions in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, where heated debates have erupted over the use of Hindi and its role as a medium of instruction in schools and colleges. Kalyan, explaining his own experience with the language, noted its practical importance. 'We are surrounded by Hindi-speaking states. Hindi is a necessity for me,' he said. He also criticised how political entities manipulate the issue for their own advantage. 'Sometimes parties or people spark negativity,' he said, suggesting that the language issue is often politicised rather than driven by genuine cultural concerns. Reflecting on his own schooling, he recalled how Hindi was once just a regular part of the curriculum. 'When I was in school, Hindi was just a second language for all of us. I am able to read and write it today because I learned it then,' he noted. Pointing to the diverse linguistic identity of Telugu-speaking regions, he added, 'I don't know why suddenly it became such a big issue, even in Andhra Pradesh which shares borders with Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Karnataka. Telangana itself has a mixed culture — Urdu and Telugu coexist. Instead of saying 'hospital,' people say 'dawakhana'. What's wrong with that?' 'Like English, Hindi has become a practical necessity' Pawan Kalyan argued that Hindi, much like English, has become a practical necessity in today's world. 'No one taught me English by force. It became a necessity. Today we're speaking in English not because we love it, but because it has become essential. Similarly, Hindi is also necessary today,' he explained. Responding to criticism of inconsistency in his stance, Kalyan drew from his personal and professional background, citing his multilingual experience. 'I grew up in Chennai. I love Tamil. I learned it out of interest and necessity — not because anyone forced me. I do the same when I visit Karnataka or Maharashtra. I try to speak Kannada or Marathi. That is the approach we need. A multilingual perspective is important for national linguistic integration,' he said. When asked if he would maintain the same stand in Tamil Nadu, where opposition to Hindi is more pronounced, Kalyan said he already had. 'I have said this before and I will say it again. I love Hindi and respect it — it was my second language in school. Language should be for better communication and integration, not for division,' he said. Referring to Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, he highlighted the poet's example of embracing cultural and linguistic unity: 'Bharati grew up in Kashi. His attire resembled a Sikh turban. He embraced integration in thought, language and attire. There are great people in Tamil Nadu who welcome Hindi.' Kalyan cautioned that forcing any language would only backfire. 'Even a child resists when the mother forces something. You have to create awareness about why learning Hindi is important, not impose it. If you speak to people rationally and logically, you'll get results,' he noted. Earlier, speaking to PTI, Kalyan said, 'Majority of the people think they want to be multilinguistic (multilingual). Let us give them a fair chance and a fair opportunity,' in an interview with PTI Videos. He also shared his personal reflection on language and thought, expressing concern that Hindi and other Indian languages had not become his primary languages for thinking. 'My mother tongue is not Hindi. My mother tongue is not English. Sometimes I feel sad that my thinking language has become English or Telugu. Telugu is a natural way to think, but I could adopt English as a thinking language,' he said. Backing the need for multilingualism in a globalised society, Kalyan added, 'There is nothing wrong in a world where we are interacting with multiculturalism as multilingual skills are needed.' He also urged political leaders to consider the needs of future generations when it comes to language. 'Oncoming generations' must be taken into account, he said, suggesting space should be made for multilingual approaches.
Hans India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Nip the language ‘movement' in the bud
'Ifthis linguistic profiling doesn't stop, our resistance movement will reach New Delhi. The ruling party at the Centre is unleashing 'linguistic terrorism' to erase our identity, language, culture and pride,' thundered West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while announcing in the same fiery tone that she would launch 'another language movement on July 27' against the 'Bhasha santras' (linguistic terrorism) and the diabolical game plan unleashed by the NDA government at the Centre. One should note with a pinch of salt that these utterances were not off-the-cuff remarks aimed at gladdening her people but one that could have dangerous ramifications on the morrow. For all one knows, if Banerjee launches the no-holds-barred movement that she has warned of, then there no doubt that this may be the flashpoint for the launch of a full-fledged language movement across the country as the seeds of such 'linguistic revolutions' have been sown in several states, including Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Such a nationwide stir could be the trigger for a major upheaval in the country, one that may not be to anyone's liking. India is a country where caste wars and river water sharing conflicts among two or three states are commonplace and where one gets to read about brutal honour killings every other day. But a fully blown nationwide linguistic battle has the potential to create a civil war-like crisis that could be more macabre than the dark days of emergency, where the targets were only anti-establishment individuals and not any community or states people. But when a linguistic movement takes over the country like a storm, the results can be perilous and create an internal chaos the likes of which are unheard of in independent India. Moreover, the people in the linguistically diverse country in which over a thousand languages are spoken (22 of which enjoy the official language status), have been known to get emotional and sensitive when it comes to issues revolving around language and the mother tongue. This 'touchy' reaction has been exhibited on umpteen occasions, especially in the southern states when the Union government of the day tried to push Hindi in school curriculums. The Hindi versus regional languages issue has been simmering for decades together. And there seems to be no end in sight if one goes by the recent forceful decisions of the NDA government. Tamil Nadu has been on the boil from 1965 onwards against what the people termed as Hindi imposition, and an almost similar anti-Hindi uproar spread to Karnataka. Linguistic agitations have been violent and bloody in several states. The temporary truces following the soft peddling of these dictatorial and draconian policies by the Centre notwithstanding, the fact remains that people from West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra are particularly guarded when it comes to their mother tongue. And they make no bones of it. It is so very sentimental that they hold their respective languages as being more ancient and superior to the one spoken in the neighbouring state. The outrage against Kamal Hasaan's Tamil vs Kannada remark is just an instance among many. The pro-Marathi 'rule' is wreaking havoc in Maharashtra much to the discomfort of millions of non-Marathi speaking population. The NEP policy is yet another bizarre initiative by the NDA government that stands testimony to its highhanded administration and makes a mockery of the country's secular and cosmopolitan credentials. The government must be mature enough and work for a 'united' India if that is what matters for them.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Scrap panel formed for 3 language policy: Forum
Kolhapur: A forum advocating against the imposition of Hindi has called for the immediate dissolution of state govt-appointed panel led by Narendra Jadhav. The forum is also demanding a permanent notification from the govt assuring that Hindi will never be introduced as a compulsory subject for Standard 1 to 5. During a press conference in Kolhapur, Dipak Pawar, an activist with Marathi Abhyas Kendra and a leading voice in the anti-Hindi imposition movement, said while state govt revoked the resolutions making Hindi a third compulsory language from Std I in Maharashtra, it subsequently formed a panel to review the three language policy. "The govt must abolish the panel as there is no need for it. We will not let the govt implement the three-language policy as prescribed by the National Education Policy (NEP). We also demand that govt must notify that henceforth, permanently, there will be no introduction of Hindi in schools between Standard I and V," he said. Pawar added that to ensure the autonomy of Balbharti, the compulsion of NCERT books should not be completely enforced. "There should be a change in the National Education Policy (NEP) of the Centre. English language is a compulsory subject from Standard I. The govt must recommend making an amendment and start teaching English from Standard III," he said. "We also demand that those students who excel in academics by learning in Marathi should a;sp get preference in govt jobs and higher education," he added.
The Print
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
AIADMK's Muslim face Anwhar Raajhaa joins DMK, says his former party is ‘now in hands of the BJP'
Raajhaa was expelled from the AIADMK minutes before he joined the DMK. In a statement, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi (EPS) said that Anwhar Raajhaa has been removed from the party's primary membership for acting contrary to the party's 'principles and goals'. Chennai: Disillusioned with the party's alliance with the BJP, former MP Anwhar Raajhaa, the Muslim face of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), joined the rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Monday. At the DMK's headquarters, he said that he was deeply pained that what was once a strong party is now in the hands of the BJP. 'Whichever party joined hands with the AIADMK, it was the senior player and other parties will heed to the words of AIADMK and not the other way round. But, now the AIADMK is listening to the BJP's words and the AIADMK is in the BJP's hands,' Raajhaa told the reporters. This is not the first time that Raajhaa has criticised the AIADMK-BJP alliance. In 2021, after the AIADMK lost the general elections, he openly criticised and Edappadi K Palaniswami joint leadership for joining hands with the BJP and losing the assembly election. The AIADMK's former organising secretary had expressed concerns over the BJP's agenda to come to power in Tamil Nadu at the cost of the party. In 2021, at the party's district secretaries meeting, he had expressed concerns over alienating the minority voters from the AIADMK. Now after joining the DMK, he alleged that the BJP's agenda is to destroy the AIADMK and take over the opposition place to fight the Stalin-led party. 'We have seen what happened in West Bengal, Karnataka and Maharashtra. In Tamil Nadu, their agenda is to dismantle the AIADMK and take that position in the state to fight against the ruling DMK,' Raajhaa told ThePrint. He also accused EPS of not being able to assert his own position as the chief ministerial candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). 'Amit Shah has been reiterating that it would be a NDA-led coalition government in which the BJP will be part of it. No where Amit Shah has said that EPS is their chief ministerial candidate. Even Edappadi K Palaniswami himself has not been able to assert that he is the chief minister candidate of the NDA. Such is the state of the party,' Raajhaa told ThePrint. In December 2021, then AIADMK's coordinator and joint coordinator Edappadi had expelled Raajhaa from the party positions after he criticised the leadership for the AIADMK-BJP alliance. However, later in 2023, he was again admitted into the party, after the AIADMK severed its ties with the BJP in September 2023. Anwhar Raajhaa's political journey began after he joined the DMK in 1960s after being part of the anti-Hindi agitations and later joined the AIADMK when former chief minister M.G. Ramachandran founded the party in 1972. Between 1986 and 2001, Raajhaa was the chairman of Mandapam village union in Ramanathapuram district. In 2001, he contested from Ramanathapuram and won the election. He was the labour and employment minister between 2001 and 2006. Later, in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he successfully contested from Ramanathapuram. Stating that he tried his best to save the AIADMK, Raajhaa told ThePrint that his voice was not heard. 'That's what forced me to join DMK. I am sure Thalapathy (Stalin) would become the chief minister once again,' he added. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: 24 deaths since 2021, no convictions: Custodial violence has left a blood trail in Tamil Nadu
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest: July 21, 2025
Parliament Monsoon session: Open to discussion on Operation Sindoor, says Centre The Government is open to discussing all issues in Parliament, including Operation Sindoor, it said in an all-party meeting held on the eve of the monsoon session, which begins on Monday (July 21, 2025). At the same time, it cautioned the Opposition that any debate on the subject has to be held within the laid-down rules and procedures. Mumbai advocate moves Supreme Court against Raj Thackeray over 'anti-Hindi' remarks A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking criminal proceedings against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for allegedly inciting violence and spreading linguistic hatred against Hindi-speaking citizens in Maharashtra. Ishiba's coalition loses majority in Japan's Upper House election Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba 's ruling coalition failed on Monday (July 21, 2025) to secure a majority in the 248-seat Upper House in a crucial parliamentary election, NHK public television said. Mr. Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito needed to win 50 seats on top of the 75 seats they already have to reach the goal. With two more seats to be decided, the coalition had only 46 seats. 'A useful tool': annual share of abstentions in India's U.N. votes at all-time high An increasingly polarised world has led to India altering its voting strategy at the United Nations in such a way that the proportion of abstentions every year has increased while the 'yes' votes have reduced, an analysis has found. According to former diplomats, this rise in the share of abstentions could in fact help India establish its own position on various issues. Over 58% Dalit voters in Bihar think unemployment is biggest poll issue: survey More than 27.4% Dalit voters in Bihar have 'no trust' in the Election Commission of India (ECI), a new survey released ahead of the Assembly Elections due in the State has found. It also shows that over 58% Scheduled Caste (SC) voters in the State thought that unemployment was the biggest issue in the upcoming polls. Congress leaders detained in Jammu as police foil street march for J&K Statehood The top leadership of the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, including the party's national secretary G.A. Mir and its J&K president Tariq Hameed Karra, were detained in Jammu on Sunday (July 20, 2025), as the police foiled the party's street campaign for the restoration of 'full statehood' to J&K. Appellate Tribunal upholds ED's attachment of Chanda Kochhar's assets The Appellate Tribunal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has found a 'prima facie case' in the matter allegedly involving the former Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar and others. Nepal PM Oli to visit India in mid-September Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli will pay an official visit to India towards mid-September, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday (July 20, 2025). Punjab police busts BKI terror module linked to grenade attacks in Patiala Punjab police on Sunday (July 20, 2025) claimed to have busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module allegedly operated by foreign-based handlers Maninder Billa and Manu Agwan, with the arrest of three individuals accused of carrying out grenade attacks on police posts at Badshahpur in Punjab's Patiala district and Ajimgarh in Haryana. Prioritise national interest over politics, V-P Dhankhar tells parties Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has urged all parties to prioritise national interest over politics and called for bonhomie and constructive engagement ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. UIDAI to roll out biometric Aadhaar update for children through schools in phased manner The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is working on a project to initiate biometric updates for children through schools in a phased manner within the next two months, a top official of the Aadhaar-issuing authority said. Indonesian passenger ferry catches fire at sea, killing at least 5 A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people caught fire at sea on Sunday (July 20, 2025) off Sulawesi island in Indonesia, killing at least five people, officials said. More than 280 people were rescued and evacuation efforts were ongoing. Nitish in danger of ruled out of the remainder of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Nitish Kumar Reddy is in danger of being ruled out of the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after picking up a knee injury while training at the gym.
