Chennai: In a major move reinforcing Tamil linguistic identity, the Tamil Nadu government is set to introduce a bill banning the use of Hindi in the state. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will table the legislation on the final day of the ongoing assembly session, seeking to prohibit Hindi-language hoardings and films across Tamil Nadu.
The proposed legislation is seen as a direct response to what the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has termed the “imposition of Hindi” by the BJP-led Union government through its three-language formula. Stalin has consistently maintained that Tamil Nadu’s two-language policy — Tamil and English — has been instrumental in driving progress in education, skill development, and employment.
Earlier this year, the Tamil Nadu government had made headlines by replacing the official Indian rupee symbol “₹” with the Tamil letter “ரூ” in the state budget documents, underscoring its emphasis on promoting the Tamil language in official usage.
Addressing the issue, Stalin reiterated that the DMK is not against Hindi as a language but firmly opposes its imposition on Tamil speakers, calling it an affront to Tamil self-respect. He accused the BJP of attempting to impose first Hindi and then Sanskrit under the guise of national integration.
The DMK has long alleged that the Centre is trying to erode regional linguistic diversity through the National Education Policy, a charge denied by the Union government.
If passed, the proposed bill is expected to spark a fresh round of debate over linguistic autonomy and federal balance in India.
