Tamil eternal, says PM after Stalin’s Hindi jibe

CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in English, and Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin, speaking in Tamil and English, took forward the debate on language when they shared the dais during the former’s visit to the city for the launch of a clutch of infrastructure projects.

The PM, in his speech, avoided the politically combative tone he sometimes adopts when touring states ruled by parties other than his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — he was very combative in Hyderabad earlier in the day — and the visit was characterised by cordiality and warmth, but both leaders did make the points they wanted to.

Speaking first, Stalin spoke of the state’s NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) scrapping bill pending before the President, Goods and Services Tax (GST) dues, and sought more funds for developmental projects in the state, highlighting Tamil Nadu’s contribution to the country’s economy. “Tamil language is both ancient and modern among the classical languages of the world,” Stalin said, pitching Tamil to be made an official language on par with Hindi. “It thrives with its eternal youthfulness and should be made the official language of the Union on par with Hindi and recognised as the court language in the high court.”

“Don`t impose Hindi on us. Consider Tamil equivalent to Hindi,” he said.

PM Modi, who spoke in English, and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, who spoke in both Tamil and English, shared the dais in Chennai where they both exalted the Tamil language and culture