'At least put your signature in Tamil': PM Modi takes shot at DMK govt over language row

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a potshot at the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government amid the ongoing language row and advised the leaders of the state to at least sign their names in Tamil.
During a public address in Rameswaram, PM Modi said that the central government is working to ensure that the Tamil language and Tamil heritage reach every corner of the world.
"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 the Tamil language," the Prime Minister said.

"If we are proud of Tamil, then I would request everyone to at least sign your name in Tamil," he added.
Read also: 'Some people have habit of crying': PM's veiled jab at CM Stalin over funds
PM Modi also suggested that the Tamil Nadu government start medical courses in Tamil to facilitate children from poor families in fulfilling their dream of becoming doctors.
"I would urge the Tamil Nadu government to start medical courses in Tamil so that even the children of poor families can fulfill their dream of becoming doctors," PM Modi said.
"Our effort is to ensure that the youth of our country do not have to go abroad to become doctors. In the last 10 years, Tamil Nadu has got 11 new medical colleges," he added.
PM Modi's remarks follow the ongoing disagreement between the Union government and the Tamil Nadu state government over the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) in the state.
Also read: Stalin calls on PM Modi to 'allay fears over delimitation', seeks Parliamentary Amendment
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has accused the Union government of trying to impose Hindi and has refused to implement the three-language formula under NEP.
The debate over NEP is focused on its three-language formula, which Tamil Nadu fears may lead to the introduction of Hindi in the state.
Stalin has raised concerns that the policy gives more importance to Hindi over regional languages, which he believes affects the state's linguistic identity and autonomy. The central government, however, says that NEP encourages multilingualism and allows flexibility in language education. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has denied that Hindi is being imposed, stating that states have the freedom to choose their languages under the policy.
The dispute grew after the central government withheld Rs 2,152 crore meant for Tamil Nadu’s Samagra Shiksha scheme, citing the state’s refusal to implement NEP. Tamil Nadu has historically opposed the three-language formula, considering it a step toward promoting Hindi, while the central government argues that the policy is intended to help students access job opportunities in different regions.