'They do not sign in Tamil': PM Modi takes a dig at DMK amid language row
In a veiled swipe at CM MK Stalin, he said some have a “habit of crying" while noting that central funding to the state has tripled since 2014
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 6) took a jibe at the ruling DMK leaders amid the ongoing language row, saying that although he receives several letters from Tamil Nadu leaders, none of them bear their signatures in Tamil. “If they are truly proud of their language, they should at least sign their names in Tamil,” he said.
In his address after laying foundation stone and dedicating to the nation projects cumulatively worth over Rs 8,300 crore, Modi, on the occasion of Ram Navami said Lord Ram's good governance is the foundation for nation building.
Strong pitch for Tamil
Modi made a strong pitch for Tamil and asserted that all efforts are on to take the language across the world and asked the Tamil Nadu government to impart medical education in Tamil medium to benefit the poor.
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“The government is constantly working to ensure that the Tamil language and Tamil heritage reach every corner of the world. Sometimes, I am surprised when I receive letters from some leaders of Tamil Nadu -- none of them are signed in Tamil. If we are proud of Tamil, then I would request everyone to at least sign their name in Tamil,” he added.
The MK Stalin-led DMK government and the Centre have at loggerheads for the last few months, as the state accused the BJP-led NDA regime at the Centre of trying to impose Hindi, with the latest flashpoint being the New Education Policy (NEP)’s three-language formula. The state argued that the measures threaten Tamil language and culture.
‘Some cry over funds’
The PM, referring to beneficiaries from the state in respect of several initiatives, said despite increased allocation to Tamil Nadu, some “cry” over funds. “In the last decade, the central government has allocated three times more funding to Tamil Nadu compared to the period before 2014," he said.
His veiled swipe came after the DMK accused the Centre of “not releasing sufficient funds to the state despite the government’s prudent management of its finances”.
“The infrastructure of Tamil Nadu is a top priority for the government. In the past decade, the state’s rail budget has increased more than sevenfold. Despite this significant growth, some people continue to complain without justification. Before 2014, only Rs 900 crore were allocated each year. However, this year, Tamil Nadu's rail budget has exceeded Rs 6,000 crore. Additionally, the Indian government is modernising 77 railway stations, including the one in Rameswaram,” he added.
Stalin skips PM’s event
Earlier, PM Modi inaugurated the Pamban sea bridge, providing rail link between Rameswaram island and the mainland, and flagged off the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service. He also flagged off a Coast Guard ship which passed under the bridge.
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However, Chief Minister MK Stalin skipped the big ticket event and upped the ante on the delimitation issue and said he had already conveyed to the prime minister his inability to take part in the bridge inaugural since he had prior official commitment.
The chief minister was in the hill town Udhagamandalam to attend official engagements on Sunday.
PM Modi should allay the fears of people of Tamil Nadu surrounding the proposed delimitation exercise, Stalin said.