Language Controversy Surrounds Indian Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin
Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked a heated debate on the internet with his recent comments on the Hindi language. Ashwin, who had announced his retirement from cricket a few days ago, made the remarks during a college event where he was speaking to students about his engineering career.
Ashwin’s Comments on Hindi Language
During the event, Ashwin asked students if they were uncomfortable asking questions in English or Tamil, they could also ask in Hindi. However, when he mentioned Hindi, the atmosphere became calm, prompting Ashwin to say, “I must say that Hindi is not our national language, it is only an official language.” This statement has ignited a controversy, with leaders from the BJP and DMK parties weighing in on the issue.
Historical Context of the Hindi Language Controversy
The issue of the Hindi language in Tamil Nadu has been a contentious one for decades. In the 1930s and 1940s, there was significant opposition to making Hindi compulsory in Tamil Nadu schools. According to available data, less than 1% of the population in Tamil Nadu speaks Hindi, while around 88% speak Tamil.
Reactions from Politicians
TKS Elangovan, a leader of the DMK party, questioned how Hindi could be considered an official language when many different languages are spoken in various Indian states. In contrast, BJP leader Uma Anandan criticized Ashwin’s statement, asking if he was a cricketer from Tamil Nadu or India. Another BJP leader, K Annamalai, acknowledged that Ashwin was correct in saying Hindi is not a national language but emphasized its importance as a language for communication and convenience.