Hindi Row: Amit Shah Counters Stalin’s ‘LKG Student Lecturing PhD Holder’ Taunt

The political battle over Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu has intensified, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah responding to Chief Minister MK Stalin’s strong remarks on the National Education Policy (NEP) and the BJP’s alleged push for Hindi.

Shah, while addressing an event at the Rajaditya Chola Recruits Training Centre (RTC) in Thakkolam near Vellore, urged Stalin to prioritize Tamil in higher education, particularly in medical and engineering courses. His remarks came as a direct counter to Stalin’s assertion that Tamil Nadu has already surpassed the NEP 2030 goals, dismissing it as unnecessary for the state.

The debate over Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu has been a longstanding issue, with the ruling DMK fiercely opposing any attempts to enforce Hindi. Stalin, in his latest statement, compared the NEP’s approach to “an LKG student lecturing a PhD holder,” asserting that Tamil Nadu leads the way in education policies rather than following directives from Delhi.

Shah Challenges DMK’s Tamil Advocacy: ‘Implement Tamil in Higher Education’

Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah called on Stalin to back his pro-Tamil stance with action, urging him to introduce Tamil as a medium of instruction in medical and engineering courses.

“I want to urge the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to take steps to impart engineering and medical education in Tamil. The DMK president has not done enough for this,” Shah said, emphasizing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has taken steps to accommodate regional languages in recruitment for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

He further pointed out that many states have already introduced professional courses in regional languages, and Tamil Nadu should do the same to empower Tamil medium students and provide them with equal opportunities.

“Like his counterparts in other states, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister should start medical and engineering courses in Tamil, which will not only strengthen Tamil as the mother tongue but also benefit Tamil medium students,” he added.

BJP Highlights Modi’s Pro-Regional Language Policies

Shah used the opportunity to highlight the Modi government’s initiatives to support regional languages, contrasting them with DMK’s opposition to Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu.

“Our youth can now write the CAPF examinations for the post of constables in their mother tongue – languages, including Tamil, listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Till now, this option was not there, and it was the PM’s decision,” Shah said, stressing that the BJP is not against regional languages.

However, it is important to note that this policy change was made following strong protests from Stalin, as the original plan required candidates to write the CAPF exams only in Hindi and English. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had previously criticized the move as discriminatory, arguing that it disadvantaged non-Hindi speakers and was another attempt at Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu.

Stalin’s Strong Response: ‘Tamil Nadu Will Not Tolerate Hindi Colonialism’

Earlier in the day, MK Stalin launched a scathing attack on the NEP and the BJP’s push for a three-language policy, dismissing it as irrelevant for Tamil Nadu.

“This is like an LKG student lecturing a PhD holder. It is the biggest irony. Dravidam does not take dictations from Delhi. Instead, it sets the course for the nation to follow,” Stalin wrote in a letter to DMK party workers and a social media post.

Stalin has been a vocal critic of Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu, arguing that the state’s two-language formula (Tamil and English) has already ensured higher literacy and better education standards than the goals set by the NEP.

He also took a direct swipe at Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of trying to provoke Tamil Nadu into accepting Hindi imposition.

“The tree may prefer calm, but the wind will not subside… He forgot his place and dared to threaten an entire state to accept #HindiImposition, and now he faces the consequences of reviving a fight he can never win. Tamil Nadu will not be blackmailed into surrendering,” Stalin wrote.

The BJP’s Three-Language Policy: A ‘Tamasha’ in Tamil Nadu?

Stalin mocked the BJP’s push for the three-language formula, calling it a “circus-like tamasha” that has become a laughing stock in Tamil Nadu.

He challenged the BJP to make Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu a key issue in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, arguing that it should be treated as a referendum on the matter.

“From the names of schemes to awards to Union Government institutions, Hindi has been imposed to a nauseating extent, suffocating non-Hindi speakers, who are the majority in India,” Stalin wrote.

He reminded the BJP of past electoral defeats linked to the language issue, asserting that Tamil Nadu has always rejected attempts to force Hindi upon the state.

“History is clear. Those who tried to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu have either been defeated or later changed their stance and aligned with the DMK. Tamil Nadu will not tolerate Hindi colonialism replacing British colonialism,” he added.

The Battle Over Language: What’s at Stake?

The debate over Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu is not new. The state has historically resisted the imposition of Hindi, with anti-Hindi agitations dating back to the 1930s and major protests in the 1960s.

While Amit Shah and the BJP argue that the Modi government supports regional languages, the DMK sees the NEP and Hindi promotion as an attempt to undermine Tamil.

Key Points of the Debate:

✔ BJP’s Stand: Tamil Nadu should implement Tamil-medium professional courses and recognize Modi’s policies for regional language inclusion.
✔ DMK’s Stand: The BJP is pushing Hindi indirectly through the NEP and attempting to alter Tamil Nadu’s well-established education system.
✔ What’s at Stake: The debate over Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu is likely to play a major role in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with DMK portraying itself as the guardian of Tamil identity.

Final Thoughts: A Political Showdown Looms

The fight over Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu is not just about education—it’s a symbolic battle over regional identity and political dominance. While Amit Shah has challenged Stalin to take concrete steps for Tamil education, the DMK has framed the BJP’s policies as an existential threat to Tamil culture.

With 2026 elections approaching, the DMK is doubling down on its anti-Hindi stance, while the BJP is attempting to position itself as a party that respects all regional languages.

As the political rhetoric intensifies, the key question remains:

Will the BJP’s push for regional inclusivity win over Tamil voters, or will Stalin’s fight against Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu strengthen the DMK’s grip on the state?

One thing is certain—the battle over Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu is far from over. 🚀🔥