Hyderabad (Telangana) [India]: Amidst the ongoing conflict between Tamil Nadu and the Centre over the three-language policy, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday emphasized his state’s commitment to protecting the Kannada language.
Speaking to media, Shivakumar stated that Karnataka would follow the decision of the Congress high command on the matter.
“Karnataka is already committed to our stand. First, we want to protect our language; that is our intention and commitment. We are in a national party; we will go by our national party. Whatever the Congress party high command decides because they give us free hand locally on these types of issues. So, we will sit, discuss, and come back to you. We have already confirmed our stand,” Shivakumar said.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin took to X (formerly Twitter) to evoke the spirit of the 1967 Tamil language protests, urging the people to rise against what he described as the imposition of Hindi.
Sharing a photograph of former CM Annadurai, Stalin reminded the public of the 1967 anti-Hindi movement in the state.
“1967: Anna sat down; Tamil Nadu rose! If any harm comes to proud Tamil Nadu, let us roar like wildfire! Let us celebrate the victory!” he posted, drawing parallels between past struggles and the current situation.
The Tamil Nadu government has been a strong opponent of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly criticizing the three-language formula which they allege is a move to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states.
In another post on X, Stalin reiterated his opposition, defending Tamil’s rightful place in the state. Quoting a popular saying, he remarked,
“When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.”
Stalin also addressed accusations against his party, the DMK, by some groups.
“Some entitled bigots brand us chauvinists and anti-nationals for the ‘crime’ of demanding Tamil’s rightful place in Tamil Nadu,” he added, stressing the need to uphold the state’s linguistic identity.
As the debate over the language policy intensifies, both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have reiterated their resolve to protect their regional languages against any form of imposition.