KTR Joins South Pushback To Minister Of Home Affairs's Hindi Pitch

I am an Indian first, a proud Telugu & Telanganaite next. I can speak Telugu, English, Hindi, & a little bit of Urdu in my mother tongue. To impose Hindi & diss English will be a great disservice to the youngsters of this nation who have global aspirations," the TRS leader, popularly known as KTR, added.

In a meeting of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee, Shah proposed steps to boost the importance of Hindi, prompting backlash from the south.

Shah said Hindi should be considered an alternative to English rather than the local language. He said the time has come for Hindi to become an integral part of national unity.

Opposition leaders have spoken out on the issue following his remarks, with the loudest voices of protest coming from the south.

Accusing the BJP of continuing efforts to damage India's pluralism, Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin warned, "Don't repeat the same mistake, you will not win."

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has also slammed the center on the issue.

Other regional forces, including the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, the Janata Dal (Secular), and outfits in the North-East have slammed Mr. Shah's remarks and accused the center of trying to impose Hindi.

The main opposition Congress has accused the government of trying to create mutual distrust by "imposition" and coercion. Party leader Jairam Ramesh has said "Hindi imperialism" will be a "death knell for India."