Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin Condemns Humiliation Of Tamil Woman Over Hindi At Goa Airport

In a recent incident at Goa airport, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President MK Stalin strongly condemned the reported humiliation of a Tamil woman named Sharmila. The incident transpired during a routine security check, where Sharmila, an engineer, faced difficulties with a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer after expressing her lack of proficiency in Hindi.

Stalin voiced his concerns, asserting that Hindi is not the national language of India, contradicting the officer's insistence during the incident. He expressed worry over recurring instances where passengers from non-Hindi-speaking states are subjected to harassment by CISF personnel and forced to accept the erroneous belief that Hindi holds the status of the national language.

Sharmila recounted the encounter, stating that the CISF officer not only insulted her but also insisted that everyone in India should learn Hindi. Despite her clarification that Hindi is not the national language but only the official one, the officer allegedly dismissed her explanation and suggested she verify it on the internet. The incident escalated when the security personnel continued to publicly proclaim that everyone in India should learn Hindi.

Responding to the situation, Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has been an advocate against alleged "Hindi imposition," criticized the central security forces. He emphasized that their primary duty is to maintain safety and not to provide Hindi lessons. Udhayanidhi called for immediate action against the security personnel involved in the incident, condemning the coercion and intimidation faced by Sharmila, particularly given that she was carrying a child.

Furthermore, Udhayanidhi highlighted the broader issue of language imposition in the linguistically diverse Indian Union. He underscored the importance of respecting the linguistic diversity within the country, emphasizing that the continuous imposition of Hindi on those who speak other languages contradicts the principles of federalism. Udhayanidhi called upon the Union Government to take swift action against such incidents, asserting that language rights are an integral part of human rights. The incident has reignited discussions on language politics and the need for cultural sensitivity within the diverse fabric of India.