'Tamils not opposed to Hindi', says TN Shiv Sena Chief Radhakrishnan

Shiv Sena's Tamil Nadu State President Radhakrishnan reportedly said people are not opposed to Hindi and students in schools and colleges should have the option to study Hindi on October 6. "There is a strong opinion that Tamil people are opposed to Hindi, which is wrong. There will be an agitation to support Hindi in the state. Students in schools and colleges should have the option to study Hindi," Radhakrishnan said.

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'Should be released immediately'

The State unit of Shiv Sena on Sunday organised a demonstration today where apart from clearing their stand on the issue of Hindi, they made some other demands as well.

"So many Hindutva activists have been arrested in Tamil Nadu and they are in jails. They should be released immediately," demanded the Shiv Sena leader."Temple properties and rich ornaments of Hindu temples were looted in which so many politicians are involved. Temple lands to the extent of 5 lakh acre were encroached upon by politicians and others. All these properties should be recovered and utilised for the welfare of poor Hindus of the state," added Radhakrishnan.

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‘One nation, one language'

Earlier on September 15, on the occasion of Hindi Diwas, Union Home Minister Amit Shah pitched the idea of ‘one nation, one language’ during a speech in New Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan. Through his speech, the BJP President proposed 'Hindi as Raj Bhasha', citing it as our freedom fighters' dream. He stated that the diversity of languages and dialects is a strength of our nation. But he added that there is a need for our nation to have one language so that foreign languages don't find a place.

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'India will be balkanized'

The comments made by the Union Home Minister met with severe backlash from Opposition leaders, particularly from the South. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) Chief Vaiko slammed Shah for imposing Hindi in the country. He said, "Hindi can be a part of India, not entire India. If Hindi is thrust, then India will be balkanized.” In a similar vein, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi too slammed the Hindi push by the Centre stating, the idea of India was much bigger than the Hindi language, Hindu religion, and the ideology of Hindutva. Other political leaders like Kumaraswamy, Mamta Banerjee, Salman Khurshid have also highlighted the need for diverse languages to sustain in India, not Hindi alone.

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(INPUTS FROM ANI)