'Entitled bigots...': Stalin invokes 1967 protest to slam Hindi imposition
What's the story
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has invoked the spirit of the 1967 Tamil language protests to voice his opposition to the imposition of Hindi.
Sharing a photograph of former CM Annadurai on social media, he drew parallels between past struggles and current challenges.
"1967: Anna sat down; Tamil Nadu rose! If any harm comes to the proud Tamil Nadu, let us roar like wildfire! Let us celebrate the victory!" he wrote.
Linguistic equality
Stalin defends DMK's stance on Tamil language
Stalin also defended his party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), against charges of chauvinism for demanding Tamil's rightful place.
He said, "Some entitled bigots brand us chauvinists and anti-nationals for the 'crime' of demanding Tamil's rightful place...When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression."
The CM slammed those who glorify Nathuram Godse's ideology but question the DMK's patriotism.
He emphasized Tamil Nadu's contributions during national efforts like the Chinese Aggression, Bangladesh Liberation War, and Kargil War.
Twitter Post
Read his full post here
👉🏾 "When you are accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression." I am reminded of this famous quote when some entitled bigots brand us chauvinists and anti-nationals for the 'crime' of demanding Tamil’s rightful place in Tamil Nadu.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 6, 2025
👉🏾 The very people who glorify… pic.twitter.com/MOzmUSEyia
NEP criticism
Stalin criticizes National Education Policy 2020
Stalin further criticized the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders of treating Tamil Nadu as second-class citizens.
He argued that imposing any language upon people creates division and enmity.
"The true chauvinists and anti-nationals are the Hindi zealots who believe their entitlement is natural but our resistance is treason," he asserted on social media.
Language support
Stalin calls for concrete measures to support Tamil
Earlier, Stalin had urged the central government to support Tamil through concrete measures instead of symbolic gestures.
He asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claimed love for Tamil isn't reflected in action.
"Rather than installing Sengol in Parliament, uninstall Hindi from Union Government offices in Tamil Nadu. Instead of hollow praise, make Tamil an official language on par with Hindi and allot more funds for Tamil than a dead language like Sanskrit," he said.
Counter question
BJP questions DMK's efforts in promoting Tamil
Responding to Stalin's remarks, BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai asked what the DMK had done to promote Tamil beyond state borders.
He questioned what the DMK had achieved in propagating Tamil while in power in the state and at the Centre.
Annamalai also questioned Stalin on his contribution to expanding the Tamil Development Centre program started by the previous AIADMK government.