RAMESWARAM: PM Modi took a swipe at Tamil Nadu’s governing DMK over the contentious language issue on Sunday, questioning why politicians from the state sign official letters in English. “Tamil is a language of pride. I am surprised … no one signs their name in Tamil,” he said, urging them to do so.
Addressing allegations from DMK-led state govt about insufficient central funds, Modi countered that BJP-led Centre had allocated three times more money to Tamil Nadu than the previous UPA administration, in which DMK was a coalition partner. “Yet, some people have developed a habit of complaining without reason. They keep crying about issues,” he said.
Modi made the remarks while inaugurating the Pamban vertical lift railway bridge and a series of infrastructure projects worth Rs 8,000 crore across Tamil Nadu.
Stalin skips Modi event, cites prior engagements
Modi stressed his govt’s commitment to Tamil Nadu’s development, citing a sharp increase in railway budget allocations for the state – from Rs 900 crore before 2014 to over Rs 6,000 crore this year.
Modi also flagged off a new train service between Rameswaram and Tambaram in Chennai.
The comments on language come amid DMK govt’s opposition to the Centre’s three-language policy under NE, which it claims is a move to impose Hindi on the state. Tamil Nadu has historically resisted policies perceived as favouring Hindi over regional languages.
Modi countered these concerns, saying: “I urge everyone to at least sign their names in Tamil to honour this glorious heritage.” He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to promoting Tamil globally and urged state govt to introduce medical education in the Tamil language. Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu was his first since beginning his third term as PM. CM MK Stalin did not attend, citing prior engagements in the Nilgiris.
Highlighting the Centre’s investments in Tamil Nadu’s infrastructure, Modi said 77 railway stations, including Rameswaram, are undergoing modernisation. He said 4,000km of roads have been constructed in the state with central assistance since 2014, leading to job creation across multiple sectors.
The PM also listed welfare initiatives supported by Centre, saying 12 lakh pucca houses have been built under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than 1 crore households have gained access to piped drinking water, and over one crore treatments have been provided under Ayushman Bharat Yojana. “These initiatives have resulted in savings of around Rs 8,000 crore for Tamil Nadu’s families,” he said.
On the recurring issue of Tamil fishermen being detained by Sri Lanka, Modi said Centre had secured the release of 3,700 fishermen over the past decade, including more than 600 in the past year alone, some of whom were facing the death sentence.
