Ravichandran Ashwin’s Bold Statement on Hindi Sparks National Debate – ‘Hindi is Not Our National Language

Ravichandran Ashwin addressing students at a private college in Tamil Nadu, discussing India's linguistic diversity and emphasizing that Hindi is an official language, not the national language.
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After stating that Hindi is an official language rather than India’s national language, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked a new linguistic controversy. His comments, which he made while speaking at a private college in Tamil Nadu, have sparked debates on social and political media platforms and received both praise and condemnation.

This dispute highlights how delicate language politics are in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, where people have long opposed the imposition of Hindi.

Ashwin’s Remark: The Background

In keeping with the nation’s multilingualism, Ashwin invited questions in Hindi, Tamil, or English while speaking to the pupils. “Hindi is an official language; it is not our national language,” he stated during his address. The audience’s reaction was telling: Hindi was met with silence, but Tamil and English received applause.

Ashwin’s assertion is consistent with the Indian Constitution, which acknowledges Hindi and English as official languages but does not name either language the “national language.”

Political Responses: DMK vs. BJP

The ruling DMK party in Tamil Nadu backed Ashwin’s position, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned his comments. “Correct,” said Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai, defending the cricket player. It is a language of convenience rather than our native tongue

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As a strong opponent of Hindi imposition, the DMK praised Ashwin’s remarks, seeing them as support for their long-standing opposition to Hindi’s alleged hegemony in India’s linguistic landscape.

Reactions from Netizens: Divergent Views

Reactions to Ashwin’s remarks were all over the internet. Some questioned his intentions, while others praised his candour.

Ashwin was chastised by one internet user for straying into a political matter, asking, “Why should Ashwin talk like this? Let him continue playing cricket. “These statements are part of his game to join politics,” said another, who was speculating about Ashwin’s political ambitions. It would have been better if he had made this statement earlier in his career.

South India’s Language Sensitivities

In South India, the linguistic controversy is not new. A woman’s complaint on the “Kannada language row” during a Diljit Dosanjh concert in Bengaluru just last month sparked a similar issue. The delicate balance between cultural integration and linguistic pride in India’s heterogeneous population is brought to light by incidents such as these.

The Legacy of Ashwin Outside of Cricket

With his recent retirement, Ashwin, India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, made a lasting impression on the game. He also gave pupils life lessons at the same event, stressing perseverance, education, and greatness. “As a student, you will never give up. If you’re not, learning will stop and greatness will simply be a term in your closet’, he said.

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Conclusion

A long-running discussion concerning India’s linguistic identity has been rekindled by Ravichandran Ashwin’s comments regarding Hindi. Although his comment is in line with constitutional facts, the responses highlight the nation’s long-standing linguistic political sensitivities.

Conversations such as this underscore the significance of inclusion and respect for one another in a multicultural country, especially as India continues to celebrate its linguistic variety. While adhering to the principle of unity in difference, Ashwin’s comments serve as a reminder to accept this variety.

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