Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, on April 6, remarked that letters from Tamil Nadu leaders rarely carry signatures in Tamil – a veiled swipe at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, amid the row over the three-language policy. “Sometimes, I am surprised when I receive letters from some leaders of Tamil Nadu, none of them are signed in Tamil. If we are truly proud of Tamil, then I would request everyone to at least sign their names in Tamil,” he said.
He also went on to highlight the efforts of the Union government in promoting the Tamil language and culture globally. “We are working continuously to ensure that Tamil language and Tamil heritage reach every corner of the world,” he added.
The remarks come amid a prolonged war of words between the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the Union government, with the state accusing the BJP government of attempting to impose Hindi and undermine Tamil language and culture.
The DMK government has been at loggerheads with the BJP-led Union government over several issues related to education, including the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical education, and the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Tensions escalated recently after Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remarking that Union funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme would continue to be withheld until Tamil Nadu fully implemented the NEP.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Railway Bridge in Rameswaram, located in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district. The event marked a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development. The Prime Minister remotely operated the vertical lift span of the bridge to allow a Coast Guard ship to pass beneath — showcasing a significant achievement in indigenous engineering. The new Pamban Bridge is India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, symbolising a leap forward in modern railway infrastructure.
During the event, PM Modi also flagged off a new train service between Rameswaram and Tambaram in Chennai, aimed at improving regional connectivity and easing travel for commuters and pilgrims.
Although Chief Minister MK Stalin was absent due to prior engagements in the Nilgiris, the event witnessed the participation of several dignitaries, including Governor RN Ravi, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Tamil Nadu Minister Thangam Thennarasu, BJP leaders K Annamalai, Sudhakar Reddy, H Raja, and Nainar Nagenthiran, along with Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon.