NEW DELHI: A Home Ministry circular to promote official language Hindi on social media platforms triggered a massive controversy with DMK mounting a scathing attack on Centre for imposing Hindi on people speaking other languages.
The official language department of the Ministry on May 27 had said that the ministries, PSUs and banks are ignoring use of official language on social media. It had asked the officials to give prominence to Hindi.
“All the ministries under Government of India, PSUs, Boards and Banks should give prominence to Hindi on their respective Twitter, Facebook, Google and YouTube accounts. Both English and Hindi should be used and Hindi must get prominence,” director, official language, Avadesh Kumar Mishra wrote in the circular. Another circular had announced prize money of Rs. 2,000 to two employees who do their official work mostly in Hindi. Rs. 1,200 and Rs. 600 will be given to the second and third position holders respectively.
DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Thursday strongly criticised the government move saying that giving priority to Hindi will be construed as a first step towards attempt at creating differences among non-Hindi speaking people and making them second class citizens. However, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tried to play down the controversy saying his ministry was committed to promote all languages.
“The Home Ministry is of the view that all Indian languages are important. The Ministry is committed to promote all languages of the country,” Singh tweeted.
A senior official also told the Express that promotion of official language should not be seen as if it is being made compulsory.
“We are still writing letters in English while communicating with other departments and Ministries. It is not being made compulsory,” he said.