Nirmala Sitharaman Shares Painful Experience of Being Mocked for Learning Hindi in Tamil Nadu

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shared her disappointment about not being able to learn Hindi during her school days in Tamil Nadu. She recounted being ridiculed on the streets for her attempts to learn the language. Her remarks came during a discussion on the Banking Laws Amendment Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha, where some Opposition members questioned her use of Hindi.

Representative image

Sitharaman recalled her experiences as a student in Tamil Nadu, where learning Hindi and Sanskrit was frowned upon. She expressed that she was mocked for wanting to learn Hindi, with people questioning why she wanted to learn a "North India's bhasha language" while living in Tamil Nadu. These words still resonate with her.

Language and Identity

The minister highlighted that learning Hindi and Sanskrit was viewed as akin to learning a foreign language. She questioned whether Tamil Nadu is not part of India and why there should be an issue with her learning Hindi. She expressed frustration at being called "vandheri," a Tamil term meaning outsider, which she felt was part of a political strategy.

Sitharaman argued that she was denied her fundamental right to choose the language she wanted to learn. She questioned why there was an imposition on her not to learn Hindi, while it is often argued that Hindi should not be imposed on others. She asked why this restriction was placed on her.

Recognition of Tamil Language

The minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the Tamil language to the United Nations. She noted that Modi is the only prime minister who has quoted Tamil repeatedly, showing respect for the language. She challenged others to name another prime minister who has done so, especially one with whom DMK has been allied.

Sitharaman's comments reflect broader issues of language politics in India, where regional languages often clash with Hindi. Her personal experiences highlight the challenges faced by those who wish to learn languages outside their regional norms. The debate underscores the importance of linguistic diversity and freedom of choice in education.