The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Wednesday postponed its proposed protests in Tamil Nadu, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that he had never asked for the imposition of Hindi anywhere in the country. DMK president M.K. Stalin said the protest slated for September 20 has been postponed temporarily.
"We consider his clarification as a big victory for the DMK following the party's announcement of protest demonstrations," Stalin said. He, however, warned that any attempt to impose Hindi would attract strong protests from the party.
Congress, an ally of the DMK, also claimed it as a victory. State Congress chief K.S. Alagiri claimed the Centre was 'rattled' by the protest call by parties in Tamil Nadu and hence utilised the office of the Governor to convey that Hindi will not be imposed.
Stalin had called on Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit at Raj Bhavan. "After we explained the reason for our protest, the Governor said Home Minister Amit Shah's views have been misunderstood. The Governor was categorical that Hindi will not be imposed in Tamil Nadu," Stalin said.
Earlier, while speaking at an event in Ranchi, Shah sought to quell the controversy, saying he had only advocated the use of Hindi as the second language.
Claiming that he had repeatedly pitched for strengthening regional languages of the country, Shah who is also the president of the ruling BJP, lashed out at the opposition for “doing politics” over his comments.
"I too come from a non-Hindi speaking state. I come from Gujarat where Gujarati is the language, not Hindi. One has to listen to my speech carefully. If someone wants to do politics, it is their choice," he said.
The home minister had kicked up a row during his speech on the occasion of Hindi Divas on Saturday when he made a pitch for a common language for India. His comments triggered intense protests in many parts of the country, especially in the southern states, with the opposition and activists accusing the saffron party of imposing Hindi over their mother tongue.
Shah, however, clarified on Wednesday that all local languages in India should be strengthened.
