'Don't use language to hide your corruption': Amit Shah slams DMK in RS
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced that the official letters from his office would sent to the Chief Ministers, MPs and others, including common people in their respective state languages.
This comes amid the row between the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over the implementation of the new National Education Policy and the three-language formula proposed under it.
Shah said that the practice will officially comes into effect from December this year.
Replying in the Rajya Sabha during the Discussion on the working of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shah said “ I am pleased to announce that, starting from December, I will be corresponding with citizens, Chief Ministers, and Members of Parliaments(MPs) in their respective languages."
He said that the Centre is not opposed to any language.
"I want to tell the Tamil Nadu government, that we have been saying this for two years. You do not have the courage to provide medical and engineering education in Tamil because your economic interests will be affected," he alleged.
"But when our NDA government comes to power (in the southern state), we will provide medical and engineering education in Tamil," he said.
He informed the Upper House of Parliament that a new department of Indian languages has been established under the 'Raajbhasha Vibhaag' (Department of Official Language) of the Home Ministry.
"I want to say this so that those who want to divide the country in the name of language do not get an agenda. The Modi government has established a department of Indian Languages which will work on spreading all Indian languages. Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Assamese. Every language has been included, and there will be apps for translation too," he said.
Launching a fresh broadside against the TN government in particular, Shah said that the government in TN is diverting attention from corruption through such unnecessary rows.
"There have been enough divisions of the nation in the name of language and it should not happen anymore. Don't use language to hide your corruption. We will go to every village and tell people," he said, attacking the DMK.
Shah reiterated that every language is important and questioned how he could possibly oppose other languages when he belongs to another state and speak other language.
"How can we be opposed to southern languages when we ourselves belong to different states? Nirmala Sitharaman comes form Tamil Nadu and I do come from Gujarat”, Shah asserted attacking on the Stalin government in RS.
He asserted that the NDA government has consistently worked towards the promotion of all Indian languages and will continue further.
"We will expose all this before the people”, he averred, adding that the NDA government has been providing education in Indian languages.
"Don’t divide the nation on the basis of language. Let's focus on development ”, he said, adding that there have been enough divisions in the nation in the name of language and it should not happen anymore.
Dismissing the allegation of Hindi imposition, Shah said “Hindi is not in competition with other languages but a friend of other languages. Every Indian language is a treasure for the country”.
Without naming any party or individual, Shah said, "Those who are spreading poison in the name of language prefer a foreign language and not an Indian language. Tamil youths can work in Gujarat, Kashmir, Delhi. You have been elected to Parliament, what kind of a system do you want?"
Shah also spoke about how the removal of Article 370 has made the Jammu and Kashmir a new rising in the realm of development.
"Article 370 was the basis of separatism in Kashmir. But I also thank the architects of the Constitution, they made the provision temporary. But due to vote bank politics and stubbornness, Article 370 continued. On August 5, 2019, Article 370 was abrogated. The dream of the architects of our Constitution was that there can't be two heads, two constitutions and two flags in the country”, he said.
He cited data as how terror activities have declined thereafter taking a swipe at previous governments in the J&K. Blasts were a daily occurrence in the past but now no one can dare to engage it. “The country is in the safe hand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government is committed to eradicating the tentacles of terrorism”, he asserted.
Reiterating his government’s resolve against extremism, Shah said that India will be free from Left-wing extremism by March 31 in 2026.
He said “ I assure this House with full responsibility, we will eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026. This commitment is grounded in the relentless efforts of the Modi government over the past 10 years. The government has put in place foolproof security measures in all affected regions to combat Naxalism effectively”, he asserted.
Taking a jibe at Opposition again Shah said “With strong political willpower and strong management of Modi ji, the country is safe now. The opposition should not be worried. We will keep you (opposition) as well as the country safe”. He also said that 12 peace accords were signed for peace in the NE states. He said that India will soon have indigenous drones in next six months. He said that zero-tolerance against smuggling of drugs and other illegal activities will continue.