The DMK has long opposed the imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu. The latest remarks come amid a political debate over the protection of regional languages and cultural identity.

NEW DELHI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Sunday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the Hindi title of his student outreach programme, ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’, in Chennai. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai questioned the Congress’s sensitivity towards Tamil Nadu’s linguistic identity. He said the party would not allow anyone to undermine the state’s culture and heritage.“There is no big difference between the BJP and Congress. Rahul Gandhi comes here and waxes eloquent… You did not even have the courtesy to name it in Tamil or a neutral language like English, and you are coming and teaching us—taking lessons on protecting our cultural identity? We don’t need your lessons, Rahul Gandhi,” Annadurai told reporters in Chennai.Reiterating the DMK’s stand on protecting Tamil identity, Annadurai said, “DMK is strong enough; DMK will not allow anybody to enter the state of Tamil Nadu who will destroy the culture and identity of the state of Tamil Nadu and its people.”

What Rahul Gandhi said in Chennai

Earlier on October 10, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, addressed the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Chennai. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attacking Tamil Nadu’s language and history. He also asserted that the state’s culture and identity would be protected.“It is an honour for me to be here in the great land of Tamil Nadu. As I often say, I always learn something from you – from the wisdom of Tamil Nadu. As Periyar ji said, “Do not follow anything just because someone else has said it. Analyse and inquire into everything.”

Thiruvalluvar ji wrote, “The deeper you dig a well in sand, the more water springs up; the more you learn, the more knowledge flows.” The foundation of your curiosity is your language, culture, tradition, history, and land. We are not going to let Narendra Modi attack Tamil Nadu’s language, history, and culture. He is not going to touch Tamil Nadu”.Tamil Nadu follows a two-language policy based on Tamil and English. The state has consistently opposed the three-language formula under the National Education Policy 2020, viewing the push for Hindi as a threat to its linguistic identity.The latest exchange highlights how language remains a sensitive political issue in the state, even among parties that are allies in the broader opposition alliance.