If the data provided by Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha is any indication, the AIADMK, the DMK and other Dravidian outfits in Tamil Nadu may have to re-work their policy towards Hindi.
The Dravidian parties are known for their strong Opposition to Hindi and Sanskrit. Schools and Colleges in Tamil Nadu which follow State syllabus do not allow Hindi in the curriculum as both AIADMK and DMK are united in their Opposition towards Hindi.
Both the political parties have made it public that Hindi was not welcome in -Tamil Nadu and the State would follow only the two-language policy. But people belonging to economically forward segments send their children to private schools that follow CBSE and ICSE curriculum where Hindi is compulsory.
Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha was launched in 1918 by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, with the aim of propagating Hindi in South India. The importance given by Mahatma to the mission could be understood from the fact that he himself was the President of the organisation till he breathed his last.
“The passion among the students and youth in Tamil Nadu could be understood from the fact that 4,58,000 students appeared for the various Hindi examinations held by the Sabha in 2019. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, it is certain to see more students taking up the examinations of the Sabha in 2020,” S R Jeyaraj, secretary, DBHPS told The Pioneer. There are no unemployed Hindi scholars in the State.
He said in 2018, the State saw 4,35,000 students appearing for the examinations held by the Sabha. “Of all the South Indian States, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Hindi learners registered with the Sabha,” said Jayaraj. He said despite Hindi being denied its rightful place in government-run schools and colleges in the State, students are firm in their decision to learn the language.
Dr Y R Johnson, eminent educationist and former director of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas said that though Hindi is not taught in Government-run schools, there are thousands of tuition centres and Hindi Vidyalayas in the State that impart proficiency in Hindi.
“The private and corporate schools are owned either by the families of AIADMK or DMK politicians. These schools slap fine on students who speak in Tamil. Our politicians are known for their hypocrisy,” said Dr Johnson.