Cricketer R Ashwin activates row with ‘Hindi just an official language’ statement–

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has actually fired up a fresh argument on the condition of Hindi in India, specifying that it is “not a national language, but an official language.” The statement, made throughout a speech at a college graduation event in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, has actually attracted combined responses on social media sites.

What did R Ashwin state?

Addressing the target market at an exclusive design university, Ashwin involved with trainees in English, Tamil, andHindi When met a lukewarm action to Hindi, he claimed, “English students in the house, give me a yay. Tamil (students cheer loudly)… okay… Hindi (very little noise from the crowd)… I wanted to say Hindi is an official language and not the national language.”

#Watch | தமிழுக்கு அதிர்ந்த அரங்கம்.. இந்திக்கு SILENT.. “இந்தி தேசிய மொழி இல்ல”.. பதிவு செய்த அஸ்வின்!

சென்னையில் உள்ள தனியார் பொறியியல் கல்லூரியில் நடைபெற்ற பட்டமளிப்பு விழாவில் மாஸ் காட்டிய கிரிக்கெட் வீரர் அஸ்வின்#SunNews | #Chennai | #Ashwin | @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/TeWPzWAExQ

— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) January 9, 2025

Language debate in India

Ashwin’s statement has reignited discussions about the status of Hindi, a contentious issue in India’s multilingual society. The Indian Constitution designates Hindi as an official language, but not a national language. Hindi Diwas, celebrated on September 14, marks the Constituent Assembly’s decision to adopt Hindi as an official language of the Union government.

According to a report in News18, as per the Census 2011, 43.63 per cent of Indians consider Hindi their mother tongue. However, resistance to its perceived imposition remains strong, particularly in non-Hindi-speaking states like Tamil Nadu.

Political backdrop

The Opposition has often accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of attempting to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking regions. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has been vocal on the issue, condemning the celebration of Hindi Month in his state.

In 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on “one nation, one language” stimulated across the country demonstrations. Shah later on clarified his position, specifying, “Mother tongue does not mean Hindi… But there should be one language in the country, and if someone wants to learn another language, it should be Hindi.”

A comparable dispute emerged last month throughout Diljit Dosanjh’s show in Bengaluru, when a female’s account on X thorough just how the occasion rose right into a “Kannada language row.” Tanisha Sabherwal asserted she was pressed and vocally abused by an additional participant after pleasantly asking her to relocate apart.

With inputs from firms.