Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has once again stirred controversy by alleging that the New India Assurance Company, a central government institution, is imposing Hindi within its organization. However, it is important to note that promoting Hindi and English, the official languages mandated by the Official Language Act of 1963, is a regular practice in all central government institutions, even during the Congress-DMK regime at the Center.
A circular issued by the New India Assurance Company stated that guidelines were issued to ensure the implementation of the “Official Language” in all offices, in accordance with the annual program issued by the Department of Official Language, Government of India. The circular clearly indicated that it is the Official Language Act of 1963 that mandates the promotion of both English and Hindi as the official languages of the union.
Despite the circular emphasizing the promotion of both languages, the DMK and its allies projected it as an imposition of only Hindi. In multiple instances within the circular, it was clearly stated to promote both the official language and regional languages in specific areas. For instance, point 17 underscored the importance of bilingual email signatures for all employees, while point 25 mandated that advertisements, tender notices, and press releases published in newspapers should be in Hindi, English, and the regional language.
MK Stalin, in a tweet, criticized the circular and accused the central government of giving undue advantage to Hindi over other Indian languages. He demanded the withdrawal of the circular and an apology from the Chairperson of the New India Assurance Company.
In a lengthy tweet, Mr Stalin said, “While each and every citizen of India is contributing to its development, the Union Government and its institutions continue to give an undue and unfair advantage to Hindi, over other Indian languages in every possible way. The latest in this list is the unjust circular issued by @NewIndAssurance. It must be withdrawn with immediate effect and its Chairperson Neerja Kapur needs to apologize for the disrespect shown towards non-Hindi speakers of India and non-Hindi speaking employees of @NewIndAssurance.”
Stalin added, “Tamil Nadu and DMK will do everything under our power to #StopHindiImposition, as we have always strived in our history. We will remove the undeserving special status that Hindi enjoys everywhere in the Union Government, like Railways, Postal Department, Banking, and Parliament that affects us and our people on a day-to-day basis. We pay our taxes, contribute to progress, and believe in our rich heritage and this nation’s diversity. Our languages deserve to be treated equally. We will resist any attempt to replace Tamil with Hindi in our land.”
While each and every citizen of India is contributing to its development, the Union Government and its institutions continue to give an undue and unfair advantage to Hindi, over other Indian languages in every possible way. Also, they are intent on spending their valuable… pic.twitter.com/2QSCISLqkX
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 12, 2023
In response to MK Stalin’s allegations, the New India Assurance Company clarified that they respect all regional languages and specifically mentioned in their circular that advertisements, tenders, and press releases should be published in newspapers in English, Hindi, and regional languages, similar to other public sector organizations in India.
@NewIndAssurance specifically mentioned under point 25 that all advertisements, tenders and press releases to be published in newspapers in English, Hindi and Regional languages as done by any other Public Sector Organisation of India. We respect all regional languages.
— New India Assurance (@NewIndAssurance) June 12, 2023
It is worth noting that the DMK has a history of using anti-Hindi sentiments as a political tool, particularly when facing challenges in state politics. Critics argue that such allegations are often raised to divert attention from other pressing issues or controversies involving the party and its leaders.
In recent weeks, several incidents, including income tax raids on the houses of Minister V Senthil Balaji’s relatives and the raid on the alleged Binami company of MK Stalin’s son-in-law Sabareesan, have put the DMK on the defensive. Some believe that the party’s focus on the Hindi imposition issue is an attempt to shift public attention away from these issues and regain political leverage.
Notably, the propagation of Hindi imposition by New India Assurance Company is initiated by Su Venkatesan MP, who has a history of spreading misinformation by misinterpreting the central government circular, falsely claiming that the central government is imposing Hindi on the Tamil community.
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