PUDUCHERRY: Former DMK minister of Tamil Nadu, Ponmudi said the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre was trying to impose Hindi and Sanskrit by making announcements in Hindi and issuing Government Orders (GOs) in the same language.
Addressing a gathering to honour “Mozhipor Thyagigal” on Saturday night, he said that the central government was trying to obliterate Tamil language by forcefully imposing Hindi.
Recalling that former Tamil Nadu Chief Minster “Anna” had opposed the three language policy introduced by the then central government and supported the two language policy, Ponmudi said the history of sacrificing lives for language is among Tamilians only. “No one could deny that it was the DMK which organized agitations against the imposition of Hindi and that Hindi will not be made a compulsory subject here. Presently, Tamil is awaiting danger,” he said. Ponmudi added it was during the regime of Kalainger (Karunanidhi) that Tamil was made the medium of instruction in colleges. “Those who do not have any concern about language and creed are trying to spoil the Tamil feelings and social justice in the State,” he said. He added saying that in China and Japan, even a university vice-chancellor does not know English and they use their mother tongue.
Convener of local unit of DMK, Dr M A S Subramanian, chose the occasion to slam the ruling N R Congress government in Puducherry by terming it as an “inefficient” and non-functioning one.
He squarely blamed Chief Minster Rangasamy for the severe financial crisis and said none of the promises given to the people were implemented during the last four years of rule.
Pointing that the chief minister is keeping 36 portfolios, including the Home, he said the law and order has not been under control. Six murders happened in Puducherry in between January 8 and Jan 22 and in Kirumambakkam, a woman was murdered in broad daylight, he added.
Meanwhile, he also exhorted the cadre to work extra hard to win the elections here next year as the formation of a DMK government with administrative efficiency and knowledge will be able manage and overcome the financial crisis.
Former Chief Minister R V Janakiraman and others were also present. Meanwhile, the DMK honoured Sita Vedanayakam and others, who took part in the anti-Hindi agitation 50 years back.