Amidst a continuing language row, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is reportedly preparing to table a bill in the state assembly today, October 15, 2025, aimed at restricting the use of Hindi within the state. Sources suggest the bill will target the use of Hindi in public spaces, specifically hoardings, boards, films, and songs.
The move comes as the latest in a series of actions taken by the Tamil Nadu government to resist what it perceives as the imposition of Hindi. The DMK government has long been a proponent of the two-language policy, which advocates for the use of Tamil and English in the state.
While the specifics of the bill are yet to be revealed, government sources have indicated that the legislation will be carefully crafted to adhere to constitutional limits. This suggests the government is aiming to strike a balance between protecting the Tamil language and avoiding any legal challenges based on linguistic discrimination.
This is not the first time that MK Stalin has taken a firm stance against the promotion of Hindi. In 2022, the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a resolution against "Hindi imposition" by the Union government, urging the central government not to implement the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language. The committee had suggested that Hindi should be the medium of instruction in higher education institutions in Hindi-speaking states, and that English should be optional. Stalin has argued that such measures are impractical, divisive, and go against the interests of non-Hindi speaking states.
The opposition to Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu is rooted in a long history of linguistic and cultural identity. Many in the state view the promotion of Hindi as a threat to the Tamil language and culture. The two-language policy, which was implemented in 1968, reflects this sentiment and has been a cornerstone of Tamil Nadu's linguistic identity.
The introduction of this bill is likely to intensify the debate surrounding language policy in India. While Hindi is the official language of the Union government, there are 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Many regional languages, including Tamil, have strong cultural and historical significance, and there is a growing call for these languages to be treated equally.
The move to table the bill has already stirred considerable discussion online. The bill is expected to be debated extensively in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, and its passage could have significant implications for the linguistic landscape of the state.
