New Delhi: On a day marked by heightened tensions over language policies, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a gathering in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where he acknowledged the rich heritage of the Tamil language. Shah’s visit to the state was met with protests, as he faced opposition from local parties over the central government’s stance on language issues. The Home Minister inaugurated BJP’s District Offices in Coimbatore, using the opportunity to sharpen his attack on the ruling DMK government.
Shah began his speech by apologizing for not being able to speak in Tamil, one of the world’s oldest languages. This gesture came amidst a contentious debate over the National Education Policy 2020, which mandates the learning of three languages—English, Hindi, and a local language. The DMK has been vocal in its opposition to this policy, preferring to maintain the state’s two-language mandate.
Amit Shah intensified his criticism of the DMK, labeling it “anti-national” and predicting its removal from power in the 2026 elections. He expressed confidence in the BJP’s ability to form a government in Tamil Nadu, similar to its successes in other states like Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Haryana. Shah emphasized that the BJP would end family politics and corruption in the state.
The Home Minister also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contributions to promoting Tamil language and culture. He argued that any perceived neglect of Tamil Nadu occurred during the UPA era, not under the current NDA government. Shah presented statistics to support his claim, noting that the Modi government had allocated significantly more funds to Tamil Nadu than its predecessors.
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