Stalin’s Language War Warning Sparks Reaction from Annamalai Over Delimitation Debate
MK Stalin warns of a potential “language war” in Tamil Nadu during a call for an all-party meeting on delimitation, citing risks of losing Lok Sabha seats due to population control measures. K Annamalai dismisses these fears as distractive tactics aimed at shifting public focus from Stalin’s opposition to the National Education Policy. Both sides emphasize the political implications of representation and education in state policy.
Chief Minister MK Stalin of Tamil Nadu announced an all-party meeting scheduled for March 5 to address the implications of the delimitation process on Lok Sabha seats in the state. He heightened fears surrounding the potential imposition of Hindi, suggesting that Tamil Nadu is prepared for a “language war,” reminiscent of the 1965 anti-Hindi agitation led by the DMK.
Stalin emphasized that Tamil Nadu might lose eight parliamentary seats due to its successful population control efforts, executed through a family planning program, which could lead to a reduction in Lok Sabha representation. He stated that the current population figures could adversely affect Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary voice, resulting in a decline from 39 to 31 MPs.
In response, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai criticized Stalin for trying to distract attention from his opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP). Annamalai argued that the citizens of Tamil Nadu have rejected the three-language policy suggested by the state government, and he accused Stalin of manufacturing fears regarding delimitation to divert public discourse.
Annamalai further stated, “Imaginary fears & stupid arguments have, of late, become TN CM’s arsenal,” suggesting that these tactical strategies are aiming to mislead the public. He indicated that Stalin’s focus on delimitation is an inadequate substitute for addressing his own unpopular stances.
Last week, Stalin also reaffirmed his refusal to implement the NEP, stating that the policy is regressive and would impose an unwanted three-language curriculum on Tamil Nadu’s children. He firmly asserted that even substantial funding from the central government would not sway his position on the matter.
The all-party meeting on March 5 will seek to unify political voices against perceived threats to Tamil Nadu’s representation and address relevant educational policies that impact the state’s demographics and planning efforts.
In summary, MK Stalin has called for an all-party meeting to discuss the impact of delimitation on Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha seats, raising concerns over potential loss of representation linked to population control policies. K Annamalai’s rebuttal suggests that such declarations are attempts to shift focus from other controversial issues like the NEP. The discussion reflects ongoing tensions regarding language policies and regional representation in India.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
