In a striking display of electoral desperation that has set social media abuzz, Dr. N. Ezhilan Naganathan, sitting MLA from Thousand Lights constituency, Chennai, and a key functionary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) which has for a long time has an anti-Hindi stance, was recently caught on camera engaging in a conversation with Hindi-speaking visitors, switching between Tamil and Hindi, in an apparent outreach effort ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections.
DMK is known for belittling Hindi speakers and derogating them with words like ‘panipuri seller’ and what not.
The video shared by the MLA shows him chatting up Hindi-speaking people in his constituency, asking them which state they are from, cracking jokes about the Taj Mahal being in Chennai, and enthusiastically mentioning a program of Guru Maharaji (Rajendra Singh Ji) being held in the area.
He says, “Which state are they coming from? I am the MLA of this area (Is area ka MLA). MLA, MLA. So your travel (tumhara travel), travelling from Agra to Rameswaram.”
When they tell him about the programme, he says, “Dost dost, friend friend” (as if referring to the spiritual person they are mentioning)
Then pointing to the Thiruvalluvar statue nearby he says, “This is my guru (Ye mera guru hai)”
Then he explains Thiruvalluvar’s principle saying there is no difference based on one’s birth. He says, “This is Thiruvalluvar, His principle is that no one is high or low by birth — everyone is equal. (switching to Hindi, he says aadmi ko upper lower nahi hai, sab ek hai)”.
Then one of the people there asks for his name, he says, “Name? It is a purely Tamil name Ezhil. (pucca Tamil naam hai)”
” mera guru ” pic.twitter.com/a84cpugknD
— Ezhilan (@Dr_Ezhilan) March 16, 2026
Just a month ago, speaking at a public event, he made controversial remarks targeting Hindi-speaking migrants while opposing the three-language policy. He questioned their progress, stating, “People from very backward sections who studied Hindi come here and do construction work, sell pani puri, sell beeda and pakoda,” contrasting them with Tamil youth becoming “software engineers” and “doctors.” He argued that Tamil Nadu’s two-language policy enabled social mobility and warned against accepting Hindi, alleging it would hinder progress.
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