CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, is set to introduce a highly controversial bill in the state assembly aimed at restricting the use of the Hindi language in public spaces and entertainment, according to government sources.
The proposed legislation, expected to be tabled on the final day of the assembly session, seeks to prohibit the use of Hindi on hoardings, public boards, and also in films and songs across Tamil Nadu.
Protecting Linguistic Identity
The move is the latest escalation in the ongoing linguistic row between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre, which the DMK alleges is attempting to impose Hindi through policies like the three-language formula in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Senior DMK leaders have defended the move as a constitutional measure designed to protect the state’s linguistic identity and uphold its long-standing two-language policy (Tamil and English).
Senior DMK leader TKS Elangovan stated, “We won’t do anything against the Constitution. We will abide by it. We are against the imposition of Hindi.”
An emergency meeting with legal experts was reportedly held on Tuesday night to finalize the draft of the bill and ensure its compliance with legal standards. The bill intends to legally mandate Tamil as the primary language for public display and entertainment in the state.
Political Backlash and Criticism
The proposed bill has drawn immediate and fierce criticism from the opposition, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs at the Centre.
- BJP leader Vinoj Selvam strongly criticized the bill, calling the move “stup’d and absurd” and accusing the DMK of using the language issue as a political tool.
- Selvam alleged that the DMK is attempting to divert public attention from recent judicial and economic controversies, including the ongoing Foxconn investment situation and several court setbacks.
Political analysts suggest this is a calculated move by the DMK, which has a deeply rooted history in the anti-Hindi imposition movement dating back to the 1930s. The legislation comes ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and is seen as an effort to consolidate the party’s voter base around the issue of Tamil pride and cultural protection.
If passed, the law is expected to spark a fresh national debate on federal rights, language policy, and regional autonomy.
