‘Jai Gujarat’ Hit Harder Than Expected — Maharashtra Politics in Flames.

Even before India attained its freedom, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy laid the foundation of language politics in Tamil Nadu by fiercely opposing the imposition of Hindi, which he perceived as a symbol of North Indian and Brahminical domination. He championed Tamil as central to Dravidian identity and self-respect, arguing that linguistic pride was essential for community progress and autonomy.

Periyar’s Dravid Ideology viewed Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada as sister languages of a common Dravidian origin and deliberately crafted a narrative that positioned Tamil and Hindi as adversaries, creating a lasting rift between the two languages. In his bid to assert Dravidian identity and resist what he saw as North Indian hegemony, he didn’t merely oppose the imposition of Hindi—he vilified it as a symbol of cultural domination. This wasn’t just about linguistic preference; Periyar framed the very existence of Hindi in Tamil Nadu as a threat to Tamil pride and survival. By equating Hindi with Brahminism, North Indian control, and systemic oppression, he polarized the linguistic landscape, forcing people to choose sides rather than seek coexistence.

This led to Periyar’s criticism of Tamil’s archaic forms, calling for its purification from Sanskrit influences and modernization, his intent was to create an emotional and political battleline in what could have been a debate about the language policy. This fueled language-based agitations, and institutionalized a cultural divide that persists in Indian politics and society even today.

After independence, the question of India’s language policy sparked intense debate. While many from the Hindi-speaking North advocated for Hindi to be declared the national language, leaders from South and East India strongly opposed the move. They feared that imposing Hindi would marginalize non-Hindi speakers and endanger India’s rich linguistic diversity. The Constituent Assembly witnessed heated arguments, with some even warning of secession if Hindi was enforced. Ultimately, a compromise was reached: Hindi in Devanagari script would be the official language of the Union, not the “national language,” and English would continue as an associate official language for 15 years.

This linguistic compromise was codified in Articles 343 to 351 of the Constitution, allowing states the autonomy to use their regional languages for governance. However, when the 15-year transition period ended in 1965, mass protests erupted, especially in Tamil Nadu, against the move to make Hindi the sole official language. The central government had to backtrack, and English remained in use alongside Hindi indefinitely. This dual-language model remains in place today, reflecting both the aspirations for national unity and the need to respect India’s vast linguistic plurality.

How NEP 2020 Unleashed a New Age of Language Wars

Modern Politics Surrounding the So-Called ‘Hindi-Imposition’ started with Three-Language Formula in the National Education Policy (2020), Which DMK labelled as disallowance of Local Language and here in this instance was Tamil. 

This Ideological Application doesn’t limit itself to the Speeches of Politicians and Textbooks but the very existence of Dravid identity hangs on Antagonising Hindi. The party continues to use the fear of “Hindi imposition” as a political weapon, warning that any coercion from the Centre could trigger another identity crisis for the ‘Tamil Language’.

This  ‘Politics of Language’, Even as the Critics of DMK see it as something that perpetuates division, has been Favorable for Electoral Gain. This is also  something that is Translating to Different States. 

If we look at Karnataka it is only recent that instances of Anti-hindi Imposition are heard of. Pro Kannada groups are vigorously campaigning against the Perceived imposition of Hindi since the Centre’s push in the NEP. This has triggered Aggregated Protests and demonstrations such as Defacing or removing text in Hindi. These groups call it a threat to their linguistic identity. 

Inside Maharastra with People who take Soaking pride in their Linguistic Identity, The Thackerays, using the DMK-Blueprint, create a front against the Mahayuti Alliance. Several Episodes of Anti-hindi Acts have surfaced which have drawn a lot of Criticism. 

While the Political front is for exhibition for all- People have split Reactions on how this Political Antic has played out. 

For those who are ‘For’ Anti Imposition, have called out Mahayuti, Saying- Did Amit Shah Spoke Marathi, There is no Pride in Eknath Shinde, Calling it a Betrayal of Maharashtrian people. 

And Yet the Voices of the ‘Against’ Anti Imposition have called out saying that at one point of time the Sharad Pawar has cried out, ‘Jai Karnataka’ Even the Father-son Uddhav and Aditya Thackery have in rallies Shouted the ‘Jai’ of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. While many people don’t see anything hurtful to the Linguistic and Cultural identity of Maharashtra in ‘Jai Gujarat’ People surely made out the point that, it is not like Gujarat is some enemy state and Better than saying ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. 

While this Political Fallout is so widespread now that in Uttar Pradesh, Locals are targeting those Migrants who came from Maharashtra and Southern Parts- Especially from Maharashtra where in a form of Political Retaliation People are forcing those migrants to Speak- Bhojpuri, not even Hindi.

Language Is Culture, Not a Weapon — All Deserve Respect, Not Political Hijack