'Hollow understanding': DMK rebuts Pawan Kalyan’s Hindi remarks

However, Tamil Nadu has rejected the allegation, saying the Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister’s statement reflects a "hollow understanding" of Tamil Nadu's stance on linguistic policies.

"Tamil Nadu has never opposed individuals learning Hindi or any other language. What we oppose is the imposition of Hindi or any language on the people of our state," said DMK spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah, reported NDTV.

The DMK has pushed back against actor-politician Pawan Kalyan's criticism of Tamil Nadu’s resistance to Hindi, arguing that the state's stance predates his political career.

"We have been opposing Hindi since 1938. We had passed legislation in the state assembly that Tamil Nadu will always follow the two-language formula because of the advice and suggestions of the experts in education, not actors. The bill was passed way back in 1968 when Pawan Kalyan was not even born. He doesn't know the politics of Tamil Nadu.

"This is not the first time we have opposed Hindi because we feel that education in the mother tongue is the best way of training people. He (Pawan Kalyan) wants to somehow support the BJP so that he can gain something out of the BJP government," Elangovan was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The rebuttal comes amid debates on the National Education Policy (NEP) and the Centre’s push for Hindi, which Tamil Nadu has historically opposed.

Kalyan, a key NDA ally, questioned why Tamil Nadu politicians opposed Hindi while benefiting financially from dubbing Tamil films into the language.

He also criticised their stance on Sanskrit and migrant labour.

"I do not understand why some criticise Sanskrit. Why do Tamil Nadu politicians oppose Hindi while allowing their movies to be dubbed in Hindi for financial gain? They want labour from Bihar but are opposing hindi. What kind of logic is that?" Kalyan asked, the report said.

DMK leaders dismissed Kalyan’s remarks, with senior leader TKS Elangovan stating, "Tamil Nadu has opposed Hindi since 1938. We follow the two-language formula based on expert advice, not actors’ opinions."

Actor-politician Prakash Raj also hit back, saying rejecting Hindi imposition was about protecting Tamil identity, not about hating Hindi.”

The BJP backed Kalyan, with leader Vikram Randhawa stating that Hindi should be promoted more aggressively in southern states.

"Hindi is our national language, and the government is working to ensure it reaches the masses. Unfortunately, previous governments have tried to suppress the culture of nationalism. The use of Hindi should be implemented strongly in the South as well," BJP leader Vikram Randhawa said, reported NDTV.