Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made a subtle dig at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin while addressing a public gathering in Rameswaram, rekindling the current national debate on the three-language policy.
Addressing after opening the New Pamban Railway Bridge, the Prime Minister pointed to a common observation he had seen in official communication from Tamil Nadu leaders.
"Sometimes I am surprised when I get letters from some Tamil Nadu leaders; none of them are signed in Tamil. If we are indeed proud of Tamil, then I would ask everybody to at least sign their names in Tamil," PM Modi said, highlighting the importance of conserving and upholding native languages.
PM Modi’s comments come amid tensions between the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over language issues. The state has often accused the Union government of attempting to sideline Tamil and promote Hindi at the expense of regional linguistic identity.
Emphasizing the Centre's initiatives in promoting Tamil culture, the Prime Minister stated, "We are working day and night to see that Tamil language and Tamil heritage touch every part of the world."
It was an infrastructural landmark moment when the New Pamban Railway Bridge, in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, was inaugurated. PM Modi remotely opened the vertical lift span of the bridge to enable a Coast Guard ship to sail through, an amazing display of local engineering.
As India's first vertical lift railway sea bridge, the New Pamban Bridge marks a major leap in railway construction and enhances connectivity between the mainland and Rameswaram island.
At the same event, PM Modi also flagged off a new train service connecting Rameswaram with Tambaram in Chennai. This move will ease travel for daily commuters and devotees who visit the region.
Though Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin did not join the function, citing some previous commitments at Nilgiris, the event had various dignitaries in attendance. They included Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, State Minister Thangam Thennarasu, and BJP state leaders K. Annamalai, Sudhakar Reddy, H. Raja, and Nainar Nagenthiran. The Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon was also present.
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