Twitter
Advertisement

DMK, BJP engage in a war of words over Tamil invocation row

The DMK has threatened to launch an anti-Hindi agitation like in 1965 to protest the BJP-led Central government's attempt to impose Hindi and Sanskrit

Latest News
article-main
Kanchi Mutt junior pontiff Vijayendra Saraswati was filmed sitting through the Tamil Thai Vazhthu (Tamil anthem) at a function recently
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

A religious-linguistic row in Tamil Nadu has turned into an all-out battle between the DMK and BJP, with the leaders of both the parties engaged in a war of words.

The DMK has threatened to launch an anti-Hindi agitation like in 1965 to protest the BJP-led Central government's attempt to impose Hindi and Sanskrit, while the saffron party alleges that the Dravidian parties failed to give due recognition for the Tamil language during their 50 years of rule in the state.

It all started with the BJP and some of the Hindu outfits protesting over the controversial remark by Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu on seventh-century mystic poet Andal early this month, even after the national award-winning poet expressed regret. The controversy took a backseat after members of Dravidian parties and pro-Tamil groups staged protests seeking an apology from Kanchi mutt junior pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi for not standing up for Tamil Thai Vazhthu (invocation of Tamil mother).

The BJP, which targeted the DMK in the Andal controversy involving Vairamuthu, is at the receiving end in the Tamil Thai Vazhthu row. Vijayendra Saraswathi remained seated on the dais when the Tamil anthem was played even as Governor Banwarilal Purohit and other dignitaries stood up, at a book release function organised by BJP national secretary H Raja on Tuesday.

DMK working president MK Stalin wondered why the seer did not meditate when the national anthem was played at the same function. Listing out attempts by the BJP government at the Centre to impose Hindi and Sanskrit, he warned that if they continued with such attempts, his party would again launch an anti-Hindi agitation.

Defending the action of Vijayendra Saraswathi, Raja said there was nothing wrong in the pontiff meditating during the invocation song. He said he had posted the video of DMK chief M Karunanidhi remaining seated when the song was played at a function.

Taking exception to Raja's remarks, DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi said the BJP leader has a history of expressing his criticism in a bad taste. "I think it is a shame to even reply to someone like BJP leader Raja," she said.

CHARGES FLY THICK

The DMK has threatened to launch anti-Hindi stir like in 1965 to protest attempts to impose Hindi, while the BJP says the Dravidian parties failed to give due recognition for Tamil during their 50 years of rule in the state.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement