The anti-Hindi movement in Tamil Nadu exemplifies the power of language in shaping cultural identity and political discourse. From its inception in the late 1930s to the present day, this movement has been a defining feature of Tamil Nadu’s socio-political landscape, reflecting the deep-seated commitment of the Tamil people to preserve their linguistic heritage.The Birth of Resistance The anti-Hindi movement in Tamil Nadu can be traced back to 1937, when C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency, introduced compulsory Hindi education in secondary schools. This decision sparked immediate opposition, led by E.V. Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, and the Justice Party. The protests that followed were unprecedented in their scale and intensity, marking the beginning of a long standing resistance to Hindi imposition.The first anti-Hindi agitation (1937-1940) saw a diverse range of protest methods, including fasts, marches, and picketing. The movement’s intensity is evident in the numbers: 1,198 people were arrested, including women and children. Tragically, two protesters, Natarajan and Thalamuthu Nadar, lost their lives during these agitations, becoming the first martyrs for the cause.The Moolakothalam MemorialIn one corner of the 120 year old Moolakothalam Hindu cemetery in north Chennai stands a special grave with a white conical tombstone built on a wide cement platform. This is the memorial of Natarajan and Thalamuthu Nadar, who died in police custody in 1939. The large-scale protests that led to their arrests began in 1937 as a response to the government’s move to introduce Hindi as a compulsory subject in all schools in Madras Presidency.Natarajan, a 20 year old illiterate carpenter from Madras, and Thalamuthu Nadar, an illiterate native of Kumbakonam, were arrested for picketing in front of the Hindu Theological High School in Madras. Both refused to apologize for their activities or return to their hometowns, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the cause. Their deaths in custody galvanized the movement, making them powerful symbols of resistance.The establishment of the Moolakothalam memorial, reportedly inaugurated by Periyar himself, marked the beginning of a tradition of commemorating language martyrs. This act of memorialization served not only to honor the deceased but also to crystallize the emerging Tamil linguistic identity as distinct and worthy of preservation.Architects of the MovementTwo figures stand out as the primary architects of the anti-Hindi movement: Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and C.N. Annadurai. Their contributions were instrumental in shaping the movement’s ideology and strategies.Periyar E.V. RamasamyPeriyar’s opposition to Hindi imposition was rooted in his broader struggle against what he perceived as Brahminical dominance and the marginalisation of Dravidian people. Born in 1879, Periyar’s early experiences, including his disillusionment with the Indian National Congress and his observations of caste based discrimination, shaped his anti-Brahminical and rationalist ideologies.Periyar’s methods of resistance were multifaceted. He organized protests, delivered fiery speeches, and wrote extensively against Hindi imposition. His arrest and imprisonment for participating in these protests only served to galvanize the movement further. Periyar’s magazine, “Viduthalai,” became a crucial platform for disseminating his ideas and rallying support against Hindi imposition.C.N. AnnaduraiConjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai, commonly known as Anna, was a disciple of Periyar who later founded the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1949. Annadurai’s approach to the language issue was more pragmatic than Periyar’s. He argued for the continuation of English as an official language alongside Tamil, opposing the imposition of Hindi on practical grounds.Annadurai’s oratory skills were pivotal in the 1965 anti-Hindi agitation. His ability to connect with the masses and articulate their concerns made him a central figure in the movement. In a memorable speech in the Rajya Sabha, Annadurai quipped, “If Hindi is the mother tongue of India, then Tamil is the grandmother.” Such statements resonated deeply with the Tamil populace and strengthened the movement against Hindi imposition.The 1965 Turning PointThe year 1965 marked a critical juncture in the anti-Hindi movement. As the deadline for the transition to Hindi as the sole official language approached, tensions in Tamil Nadu reached a boiling point. The DMK, under Annadurai’s leadership, spearheaded massive protests that included student-led riots and, tragically, self-immolations.The scale and intensity of the 1965 agitation were unprecedented. Approximately 70 people lost their lives in the violence that ensued. The central government, under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, was forced to respond. Shastri’s assurance that English would continue as an official language alongside Hindi helped calm the situation, but the political landscape of Tamil Nadu had been irrevocably altered.Memorials and MartyrsThe 1965 agitation led to the establishment of new memorials dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives during the protests. Notable among these were the memorials for Keezhapaluvur Chinnasamy and Viralimalai Shanmugam in Trichy. Chinnasamy’s self-immolation in 1964 had intensified the movement, making him a powerful symbol of the struggle.In January 2025, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the renovated memorial for Natarajan and Thalamuthu at Moolakothalam. This event also marked the declaration of January 25 as Tamil Language Martyrs Day, institutionalizing the commemoration of these historical figures and events. Additionally, in November 2023, the state government sanctioned Rs 3 crore for a memorial hall dedicated to Kizhapaluvur Chinnasamy in Ariyalur district, aiming to educate visitors about his role in the anti-Hindi agitations and promote the significance of the Tamil language.These memorials serves as physical manifestations of the state’s resistance against perceived cultural and linguistic hegemony from the North.Political Implications and Identity Formation The political implications of the 1965 agitation were far reaching. In 1967, riding on the wave of anti-Hindi sentiment, the DMK won the state elections, marking the beginning of Dravidian party dominance in Tamil Nadu politics. This shift in power dynamics ensured that the state’s resistance to Hindi imposition would remain a central political issue for decades to come.The language martyrdom memorials played a crucial role in the formation and consolidation of Tamil political identity in the decades following the major agitations. The sacrifices commemorated by these memorials became rallying points for political parties, particularly those aligned with the Dravidian movement.This period saw the entrenchment of language as a central pillar of Tamil Nadu’s political discourse, with parties vying to position themselves as the true defenders of Tamil culture and identity. The memorials served as tangible links to a past that remained deeply relevant to the present, shaping public memory and political consciousness.The anti-Hindi sentiment in Tamil Nadu has persisted into the 21st century, manifesting in new forms of resistance against perceived linguistic imposition. The introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has reignited the debate, with Tamil Nadu viewing it as a covert attempt to impose Hindi through the three language formula.The state government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has taken a firm stance against the NEP, declaring that Tamil Nadu will not implement the policy even if it means forfeiting substantial central funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. This decision reflects the deep-rooted commitment to the two-language policy (Tamil and English) that has been in place since 1968.The current debates and challenges surrounding language policy in Tamil Nadu are multifaceted:Language Imposition: There is a persistent fear that the three language formula proposed in the NEP 2020 is a backdoor entry for Hindi, threatening the state’s linguistic and cultural identity.Federalism Concerns: The state government argues that the NEP undermines cooperative federalism by imposing a uniform national policy without adequate consultation with states.Educational Model : There are concerns that the NEP’s structural changes, such as common entrance exams and vocational training from class 6, could disadvantage students from marginalised backgrounds and increase dropout rates.The standoff between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre has intensified, with the Union Education Minister linking the release of education funds to the state’s acceptance of the NEP. This move has been criticised as coercive and politically motivated, highlighting the ongoing tension between state autonomy and national education policy.The anti-Hindi movement in Tamil Nadu, from its inception to its current forms, highlights the lasting importance of language in shaping cultural identity and political awareness. As India continues to navigate questions of national integration and regional identity, the lessons from Tamil Nadu’s language movement remain deeply relevant, offering insights into the delicate balance between national unity and linguistic diversity in a multicultural democracy.