Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and other top leaders extended their warm greetings on the occasion of Hindi Diwas — celebrated every year on September 14 — a controversy erupted over Shah's claim that 'only Hindi can unify India'.
Interestingly, while DMK chief MK Stalin and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi came out guns blazing against Shah's statement, West Bengal Chief Mamata Banerjee, who is a staunch opponent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, tweeted in support of Hindi Diwas, saying that while one might learn several languages, one should never forget their mother tongue. Tweeting in Hindi, Banerjee said, "Heartiest congratulations to all on Hindi Diwas. We must respect all languages and cultures equally. We might learn many languages but should never forget our mother tongue."
Earlier in the day, PM Modi tweeted in Hindi, "Hindi Diwas par aap sabhi ko bahut-bahut badhai. Bhasha ki saralta, sahajta aur shaleenta abhiyakti ko sarthakta pradan karti hai. Hindi ne in pahluon ko khubsoorti se samahit kiya hai" (The simplicity, grace and decency of the language gives relevance to expression and Hindi has imbibed these attributes beautifully).
Meanwhile, Shah urged the citizens to increase the use of the language to realise the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Shah's other tweet said that India is a country of different languages and every language has its own importance, but it is very important to have a language of the whole country which should become the identity of India in the world. Today, if one language can do the work of tying the country to the door of unity, then it is the most spoken Hindi language.
This led to the DMK chief's demand that Shah take his statement back, adding that the Tamil Nadu party would discuss the issue at its executive party meeting.
"We have been continuously waging protest against imposition of Hindi. Today's remarks made by Amit Shah gave us a jolt, it will affect the unity of the country. We demand that he takes his statement back," said Stalin.
Meanwhile, Owaisi questioned the significance of Hindi Diwas saying it "isn't every Indian's mother tongue".
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