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Two Tamil Nadu Highways Department officials have been suspended after Hindi lettering appeared on a newly installed direction signboard in Thoothukudi district, which is contrary to the state government’s two-language policy.
In a statement, the Tamil Nadu government said, “The Assistant Divisional Engineer and Assistant Engineer of the Highways Department, who were held responsible for the error, are under temporary suspension and departmental proceedings have also been initiated against them.”
The suspension came after the signboard, installed on the Sathankulam-Nazareth stretch of State Highway 93, carried the names of Tirunelveli, Alwarthirunagiri, Thoothukudi and Tiruchendur in Tamil, English and Hindi.
The inclusion of Hindi triggered criticism from political leaders, with the opposition questioning why a state government department had used the language on a highway signboard.
Former Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin accused the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of carrying out what he described as Hindi imposition, which Tamil Nadu had traditionally opposed when pursued by the Union government.
“Until now, Tamil Nadu had been facing Hindi imposition by the Union government. Now, I suppose, the state government itself doing it is the change they claimed. Is this another attempt by the TVK government to test the waters and make a U-turn after facing opposition?” he asked.
“The two-language policy is Tamil Nadu’s lifeline. Do not play with it,” Stalin added.
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss also condemned the inclusion of Hindi on the signboard, pointing out that protests had been held in the past against the use of Hindi on national highway signboards in Tamil Nadu.
He also called for the immediate removal of the Hindi lettering and action against those responsible.
Stating that the two-language policy introduced by former Chief Minister CN Annadurai remained a permanent commitment of the TVK, Minister for Highways and Minor Ports Aadhav Arjuna said that the signboard was installed as part of road improvement works undertaken by the state Highways Department under the ‘Central Road and Infrastructure Fund scheme’.
Aadhav added that the two officials were suspended on October 1, and a new signboard carrying only Tamil and English was installed. He said the government had initiated action within hours of the matter coming to its notice and that further inquiry was under way.
“Government officials who act against the policies and policy decisions of the Tamil Nadu government will face legal and departmental action,” he added.
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