Crime Today News
By Kumkum Chadha
“Language is our heart and soul. Replacing it with the three-language formula is nothing but hegemony by the centre.”
—Dr Thamizhachi Thangapandian, aka Sumathy
Tamil Nadu is once again at the forefront of a battle that cuts deep into its cultural and political identity. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is leading the charge against two contentious issues—the imposition of Hindi through the National Education Policy (NEP) and the proposed delimitation exercise, which the party claims is a ploy to shift political dominance to the northern states.
At the heart of the fight is Chief Minister MK Stalin, whose aggressive stance against the BJP-led central government has drawn comparisons to revolutionary leader MN Roy. The DMK’s Dr Sumathy, an MP, author, and poet, is one of the loudest voices on the matter.
“A Home-Cooked Meal Vs A Master Chef’s Dish”
Dr Sumathy offered a striking analogy to describe the language issue: “Hindi is a meal we can take from anywhere. English is the master chef who prepares and serves food according to our taste. But Tamil, our mother tongue, is like a home-cooked meal prepared with love and suited to us.”
Tamil Nadu has historically resisted the imposition of Hindi, a battle that dates back to the 1960s. “It goes back several decades. The two-language formula is immersed in us and is part of our cultural identity. The imposition of Hindi has a history. It has been a burning issue and the world is witness to people sacrificing their lives for Tamil. Our state has been following the two-language formula for decades. Way back in the sixties, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had assured the non-Hindi speaking states that they could continue the two-language formula till as long as they want,” said Dr Sumathy said in an exclusive interview.
Under the two-language policy, Tamil and English have been the foundation of education and governance in the state. The NEP, however, introduces a three-language formula, which many in the South see as an attempt to push Hindi under the guise of educational reform. “Look at the state of languages in the North—Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Maithili have faded. Hindi has dominated. That is exactly what they want to do here,” said Dr Sumathy.
A “Small Hole” Next To A Big Door
The pushback against Hindi imposition isn’t just about language—it’s about identity. Dr Sumathy invoked Periyar, the founder of Dravidian politics, to explain the resistance: “Periyar once said, ‘I am constructing a house and installing a huge door. Why should I create a small hole in the wall? Those imposing a third language formula are forcing a small hole next to the big door.’” For the DMK, this is more than just policy—it is cultural preservation.
The Delimitation Dilemma: Power Shift To The North?
While the language issue ignites emotions, delimitation poses a political threat. The BJP-led centre’s plan to redraw parliamentary constituencies based on population is seen as an attempt to weaken southern states politically.
“Our Chief Minister is taking this issue head-on. As of now, Tamil Nadu has 40 Lok Sabha seats. Under delimitation, we will lose 8 or 9 seats, while northern states—due to higher populations—will gain more. This punishes states that have controlled their population and strengthens the BJP’s power without needing support from the South,” said Dr Sumathy.
According to the DMK, delimitation is not just about numbers—it’s about political control. If northern states gain more seats, the South’s influence in national politics will diminish. “The BJP’s agenda is clear: shift political authority to the North and impose their ideology without needing the South’s support.” said Dr Sumathy.
Stalin: The Emerging National Leader?
By taking a firm stance on both issues, Stalin is not just fighting for Tamil Nadu—he is rallying opposition parties and state leaders across India against what the DMK calls “BJP’s centralizing agenda”.
“Our leader sensed the danger ahead and has united opposition parties to thwart the centre’s attempt to shift power northward,” said Dr Sumathy.
With elections approaching, these issues will only intensify. The DMK vs BJP battle is far from over, and Tamil Nadu is determined to make its voice heard.
One thing is certain: language, identity, and political power are at stake—and the fight has just begun.
—The writer is an author, journalist and political commentator
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