Tamil Nadu Governor's Remarks on Language Policy Spark Fresh Controversy; DMK Hits Back

Chennai, February 28: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi sparked fresh controversy on Friday with his remarks criticizing the state government's "rigid" two-language policy, claiming it has turned southern Tamil Nadu into a "neglected backyard," depriving local youth of opportunities.

Governor Ravi, who is on an official visit to Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts, expressed concerns after interacting with leaders from various sectors, including education, business, healthcare, hospitality, startups, and MSMEs, as well as students and women entrepreneurs.

Taking to social media platform 'X', Ravi highlighted the grievances raised during his interactions:

"This region is rich in human and natural resources and yet it feels like a neglected backyard. Despite huge potential for industrialization, people here feel neglected of opportunities. Problems of substance and drug abuse among youth are serious. There is huge demand for implementation of NEP 2020. The youth of this region feel hugely deprived of opportunities compared to those from neighboring states due to the rigid two-language policy of the State Government."

Click to expand...

The Governor emphasized the sentiment among youth who feel restricted by the state's language policy, suggesting that opposition to Hindi should not limit learning other South Indian languages. He added:

"This is indeed unfair. Our youth must have a choice to study language."

Click to expand...

DMK Slams Governor's Remarks​

In swift response, Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Regupathy strongly condemned Governor Ravi's statements, accusing him of "spewing hatred" against Tamil language and Tamil Nadu’s culture. In a sharply-worded statement, Regupathy asserted:

"Unable to stand the strides made by Tamil Nadu in economy and education, Governor Ravi has been spewing hatred against the state."

Click to expand...

He further challenged the Governor to specify precisely in which sectors southern Tamil Nadu was allegedly lagging, asserting that the state's progress in education, healthcare, and economic development has been unmatched, backed by Central government data.

Regupathy also defended Tamil Nadu's two-language policy, stating:

"These achievements were possible due to Tamil Nadu's two-language policy. Aren't the Tamils aware of the plans of hegemonic people to impose Hindi through the National Education Policy (NEP)?"

Click to expand...

Responding to Ravi's claim advocating language choice, the Law Minister retorted sharply:

"We are aware what is choice and what is imposition. Such drama will not work here."

Click to expand...

The ruling DMK continues to allege attempts at Hindi imposition by the Central government through the three-language formula within NEP 2020—an allegation consistently denied by the Union government.

The Governor's remarks have thus reignited a heated debate on Tamil Nadu's language policies, highlighting a deep-rooted ideological divide between state leaders and the Raj Bhavan.