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Kanimozhi, a senior leader in Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK, is part of a rare all-party delegation visiting several European nations focused on strengthening international cooperation on terrorism. (Source: ANI)
As Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi stood before international journalists in Spain this week, a simple question with immense political import was posed: What is the national language of India?
“The national language of India,” she said, “is unity in diversity. That is the message this delegation brings to the world, and that is the most important thing today.”
The remark, delivered thousands of kilometres from New Delhi, carried the weight of a long-simmering linguistic dispute back home. The National Education Policy 2020 recommends a “three-language formula,” which encourages students across the country to learn Hindi, English, and a regional language. While the policy doesn’t make Hindi mandatory, critics argue that in practice, it privileges Hindi-speaking states and sidelines others.
#WATCH | Madrid, Spain: While addressing the Indian diaspora, DMK MP Kanimozhi said, “The national language of India is unity and diversity. That is the message this delegation brings to the world, and that is the most important thing today…” pic.twitter.com/cVBrA99WK3
— ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2025
The linguistic debate
In recent years, the DMK has become a leading voice against what it sees as the central government’s attempts to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states. For Tamil Nadu, with a decades-old tradition of resisting Hindi dominance pride in the Tamil language runs deep. The is issue is, therefore, cultural, political, and personal. The DMK has rejected the Centre’s approach, calling it a threat to federalism and regional autonomy.
The language debate flared up again recently when the federal Education Ministry described Hindi as a potential “link language” for the country—prompting sharp responses from southern leaders, who accused the government of pushing a “Hindi-Hindutva” agenda under the banner of educational reform.
Even as these disagreements unfold at home, the delegation—comprising leaders from across India’s political spectrum—is touring Europe as part of a major outreach initiative. Kanimozhi, a senior leader in Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK, is part of a rare all-party delegation visiting several European nations focused on strengthening international cooperation on terrorism.
Over the coming weeks, seven teams will visit 33 global capitals, sharing India’s cross-party stance on terrorism and regional security. Along with Kanimozhi, the group includes politicians from the BJP, Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, and Rashtriya Janata Dal, as well as two former diplomats.
English (US) ·