Tamil Nadu Minister: No Opposition to Hindi Language, Only Its Imposition

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister TRB Rajaa has clarified that the DMK government does not oppose Hindi or its speakers, but only stands against the imposition of any language in the state.

Speaking at an NDTV summit in Chennai, Rajaa highlighted that Tamil Nadu hosts a significant Hindi-speaking population alongside large communities of international residents. "*We have the largest German and Japanese population... I wonder why my Hindi-speaking friends cannot be here*," he remarked.

Rajaa emphasized that attempting to prevent people from speaking Hindi would be wrong, pointing to numerous North Indian investors in Tamil Nadu as evidence of the state's inclusive approach. However, he cautioned that parts of India have "*lost hundreds of languages to Hindi*" and stressed the importance of preserving linguistic diversity.

The minister asserted that serious investors prioritize factors like infrastructure, academic capabilities, and ease of doing business rather than language considerations. "*If you just want to play your Hindi politics and try to get investments, good luck to you*," he said, emphasizing Tamil Nadu's focus on governance and business-friendly policies.