Union government and Hindi imposition controversy is not new. The struggle against the supremacy of the Hindi language has been going on for decades. Anti-Hindi movement has a long history in Tamil Nadu. In 1938, Rajaji, who was the Chief Minister of the then Madras Rajdhani, introduced Hindi as a compulsory subject in certain schools on an experimental basis. Tamil scholars and language enthusiasts objected to it.
The first anti-Hindi conference was held in Kancheepuram. In 1939, the Women's Conference was held to emphasize the same demand. After strong opposition, the project was withdrawn. However, the struggle that started then continues in the 21st century.
In 1946, Hindi was again made a compulsory subject in Tamilnadu schools during the Congress rule. There were protests against it. In the years that followed, Hindi was made compulsory and there were protests. Anti-Hindi protests intensified in Tamil Nadu when the Official Language Act was implemented.
It was said that English would last till 1965 i.e. 15 years after the constitution of India. The Union Government planned to declare Hindi as the official language from January 26, 1965. Late Chief Minister, C.N Anna Durai, who was a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1963, made a request to Prime Minister Nehru. 'After 1965, Hindi should not be the official language. English must continue. He requested that Hindi should not be imposed on non-Hindi speaking states including Tamil Nadu.
North Indian leaders strongly opposed this. To this, Nehru said, "Until the non-Hindi speaking states are willing to accept, English can continue." He promised that Hindi will not be imposed".However, the scene changed after Nehru's demise. The central government planned to declare it as the official language from January 26, 1965. DMK observed mourning day against this. A large number of youth and students participated in the protest. The language war has begun.
The anti-Hindi movement intensified. Tamil sensibilities protested the imposition of Hindi and burnt themselves to death. India itself was shaken. After a series of protests, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri assured that English would remain the official language as long as the non-Hindi speaking states so desired. Later, Indira Gandhi also ensured this through the Official Language Act in 1967.
However, the trend of using Hindi in television, radio and government offices continues. The BJP government is also promoting the use of Hindi as a story that does not change despite the change of government.
In this situation, it has been reported that the Food Safety and Quality Commission of India has issued an order that the Yogurt packets sold by Aavin Company should not be written as Yogurt and Dahi should be written in Hindi only.
It has also been mentioned in the letter that Hindi can be written in capital letters and if required in the state languages in parentheses. States including Karnataka have protested against this. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has strongly condemned the covert imposition of Hindi by the Union Government. Dr. Ramdas, the founder of PMK, Vaiko have also condemned.
It seems that the central government is trying to impose Hindi words written in Tamil as Tamils will not accept it if Hindi is imposed as Hindi. The Union Government, which has been trying to impose Hindi through educational institutions, radio stations and cultural programs for the past few years, cannot accept in any way that it is now trying to impose Hindi through the Tamil Nadu government agency Aavin. By whatever means they try to impose Hindi, the people of Tamil Nadu will defeat it; There is no doubt that they will break through!