Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at Tamil Nadu’s governing DMK over the contentious language issue, questioning why politicians from the state sign official letters in English. “Tamil is a language of pride. I am surprised … no one signs their name in Tamil,” he said, urging them to do so.
Addressing allegations from DMK-led state govt about insufficient central funds, Modi countered that BJP-led Centre had allocated three times more money to Tamil Nadu than the previous UPA administration, in which DMK was a coalition partner. “Yet, some people have developed a habit of complaining without reason. They keep crying about issues,” he said.
Modi made the remarks while inaugurating the Pamban vertical lift railway bridge and a series of infrastructure projects worth £800mn across Tamil Nadu. He stressed his govt’s commitment to Tamil Nadu’s development, citing a sharp increase in railway budget allocations for the state - from £90mn before 2014 to over £600mn this year. He also flagged off a new train service between Rameswaram and Tambaram in Chennai.
The comments on language come amid DMK govt’s opposition to Centre’s three-language policy under NEP 2020, which it claims is a move to impose Hindi on the state. TN has historically resisted policies perceived as favouring Hindi over regional languages.
Modi countered these concerns, saying: “Tamil is a language of pride. I urge everyone to at least sign their names in Tamil to honour this glorious heritage.” He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to promoting Tamil globally and urged state govt to introduce medical education in the Tamil language.
PM mentions Gujarat link
PM Modi while inaugurating the new Pamban bridge, spoke about the Gujarat link to the old bridge and its replacement. “A hundred years ago, the old Pamban bridge was built by a man born in Gujarat. Today, after 100 years, the new Pamban bridge has been inaugurated by someone born in Gujarat,” he said.
Sources said the construction of the old Pamban bridge, inaugurated in 1914, involved Gujarat-based contractor Karoji Kutz. The project on the Palk Strait utilised 2,000 tonnes of steel and involved 200 workers. During the construction of the old bridge materials were lost due to a severe cyclone and high waves. Even cholera impacted the labour force.
The decision to build the bridge was taken by the British in Nov 1908. The bridge was completed in Dec 1913 and was inaugurated on Feb 25, 1914, by Lord John Sinclair, the first Baron Pentland, who was the governor of Madras from 1912 to 1919.
The bridge had provision to allow ships to pass beneath it. The Pamban rail bridge was the sole link between Mandapam and Rameswaram for decades until a parallel road bridge was built in 1988.
Stalin skips PM’s event
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin did not attend PM Modi's function in the state, citing prior engagements in the Nilgiris. Modi should allay the fears of people of Tamil Nadu surrounding the proposed delimitation exercise, Stalin said. Modi should also ensure that a resolution is passed in the Parliament to make sure the rights of Tamil Nadu are not curbed, he said at an official event. Stalin, after inaugurating a slew of projects and announcing new schemes to the popular tourist spot here, said he has sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to present the memorandum on the concerns surrounding the proposed delimitation.
