NCERT textbook cartoon stokes anger in Tamil Nadu

I agree with the view that the cartoon should be removed from text books as it may convey a wrong, perhaps unintended meaning to students at an impressionable age.
I'm from Kerala and have lived in various parts of India, have interacted with people from many regions and feel that generally everyone is proud of their regional culture and language. Hindi was never a native language of southern India and just by declaring it a national language, it can't be presumed that people should accept it. Equally good or maybe even better than Hindi are various other Indian languages. Even going by some comments on this page by Tamilians who think that they should learn Hindi - the fact is that viewing knowledge of Hindi as an asset is by all means hipocrisy and a double standard.
Having said this, I am not against Hindi or any other language. India is multicultural and mutual respect is primordial for a peaceful society.

The cartoon has no business in a textbook meant for students as it is clearly politically motivated and seeks to deligitimise an agitation that almost all Tamils in TN, at that time and now, support. It distorts history by portraying the Tamils' struggle for langauge rights as hooliganism; when in truth due to the Tamils' state-wide anti-Hindi agitation of that time, other non-Hindi mother-tongues in India are now still alive and well. The anti-Hindi agitation should have been portrayed as one of India's finest moment for language rights rather than the parody portrayed in the cartoon. Bearing in mind that Hindi has no history in ancient or medievial Indian history and only came about during the Mughal rule (invaders from outside India), one has to question whether another Indian language would be more suited to take the place of Hindi in the Indian bureaucracy.

We as Indians should have a common language, but I feel that Hindi is not the right one, as it has a borrowed script.Let us list out the languages in India that has its own script, rich in grammar and has been in use for a long time and put to vote, so that it will be voluntary and every one will be willing and proud to use it as a common language.

Why don't we make all school textbooks neutral?Censor all content in these textbooks which
is either glorifying or demeaning of any political person in this country.That way these books
would be dutiful only to ensure the learning of concepts on students' part.And they can side
with those thoughts,opinions or views of these political persons which they deem righteous
and correct by applying their minds and logic.

Emotions apart the real meaning or the depiction of the cartoon could be
this- the agitations were continuing even after the assurances were
given. Viewing the cartoon in this perspective should clear all the
misgivings. So, the chronological sequence of events leading to this
particular cartoon must be taken into account. Having said that there is
no need for this cartoon in today's school textbook.

If RK Laxman were to draw a similar cartoon today, it would show the assurances written in Tamil with the caption that the person can't read Tamil! Would be very apt for the children of political leaders in TN who only send their kids to English medium schools even as they brag about their role against Hindi.

What is reason for having a political cartoon in a school text book?. It is clear that Hindi speaking NCERT officials are trying to ridicule the people of Tamilnadu. The NCERT officials based in Delhi should understand that Tamilnadu is the 3rd most industrialised enconomy in the country without Hindi being taught in schools. States with Hindi as official language are way behind development,literacy levels and infrastructure in India. This clearly shows that studying Hindi is of no use. I would urge all Tamilians to learn Chinese and German so that we can do business with China and Germany.

People in North India should come forward to learn Non Hindi languages, than insist others to learn Hindi. Some mean minded national media & some anti Tamils ( sadists) within Tamilnadu always enjoy if Tamilians, Tamil Language & their culture targeted. Guys note that our communication either in Tamil or English is much superior than any of you people. Who says without Hindi knowledge you cannot travel or survive out of Tamilnadu? I can't speak Hindi & can’t read or write, but I am travelling all over India for more than 2 decades for my business purpose with our any hindrance. Tamils newer said no to any language & we respect all language.

The cartoon is brilliant. Truly the man was a genius. To see the underlying humour in the most gravity-laden situations and bring it out so well is well what can one say except that we are proud we have had such people as RK Laxman as fellow-citizens.
Coming to the cartoon per se, one can look at it two ways - literally and sublimnally. On a literal level, not only was the lack of English skills bad then, it is equally bad now. Barring the private schools, the standard of English in TamilNadu is pathetic, especially in rural TN.
Sublimnally, we all know that most agitations are populated by only a few genuine agitators - the rest of the mob is bought and into it for the fun they derive of throwing stones and destroying public property. This is inferred by RK Laxman with the English-illiterate euphemism. Genius!

For all the apologists of the cartoon, please note that the issue is that the cartoon is in the text book! If there was another equally potent comment/satire on how Hindi was about to be thrusted, then it would have been a balanced representation. Presenting only one side smacks, of bias and even could vitiate the thought that those protesting against Hindi were illiterate, impatient, uncouth people - (that is what the cartoon suggests with the way the expressions are drawn, the appearance of the agitator, and importantly the comment).

Why don't you learn Chinese, Japanese, and German as well - why particularly Hindi, which is of no use nowadays due to the popularity of English globally.

I am a Tamil. After coming out of Tamil Nadu state i could see
everybody speaks Hindi except Tamil people.I am also ashamed of
myself not knowing Hindi.It is good to see some people apologizing
who participated in anti Hindi protest. We should introduce Hindi
subject in Tamil Nadu as an Indian not a Tamilian.Interesting
thing in this is only poor and middle class are affected by
this.But rich people sons and daughters study only English and
Hindi and they do not know how to read and write in their mother
tongue(Tamil).

Ever since rejecting Hindi, Tamil Nadu has made huge stride in its development and it is ranked one of the best states in the country for development for human resource development and most economically advanced in India. So what exactly did we miss out on not accepting Hindi? The Dravidian parties have done a huge favour to our state for rejecting Hindi and Congress simply has no clue on this issue.

India should not had been born as a country...India is a country for namesake and no individuals can be much different as much as from North to South..People are divided on the basis of Religion,color, region,language family, caste and at once group together to save these divisions and always put their own identity first than the nation..Thats why India has been ruled by foreign Powers for most of its history....Overall I have seen so many people in other countries but so called Indians will burn their Country to save their backyard..Stupid people..

With a growth rate higher than national average, better Female Sex ratio than any big state, education infrastructure unparalleled elsewhere in India, with revolutionary intervention programs in healthcare, nutrition and education that resulted in arguably the highest percentage of highly skilled personnel in all of Indian States poised to boom in a high paying "service based economy" of the future ...

Who is having the last laugh against doomsayers since 1965 ?

The politicians who protest against the cartoons are truly clowns and the cartoons are the only place for them.

Kala, I do not understand your statement "I don't want my kids to be handicapped without knowing Hindi". Then think of this: How come Tamilians or anyone work, live and make more money than the natives of France or German or Spain without knowing French, German or Spain? Nobody force you to learn these language in the School! Then why Hindi to be forced in the school when Hindi is not an official language of India? So many Hindi speaking people are doing good in Tamilnadu without knowing Tamil. So Kala, promote Tamil to your Hindi friends if you have.

The publication of this cartoon in the school text book is an evidence that how the hindi people looks south Indians even now!. Imagine what might have happended in 1960s. Hindi is not a national language of India. Indian constitution does not pronounce Hindi as national language. Then why Hindi to be forced in schools? Even Maharastrians oppose Hindi in their state! Remember, Tamilians are more creative and commendable in script writing. Lets us show our views in a creative way so that this cartoon will be removed automatically from the book.

I have been fortunate to spent four years of my college life in a
Regional Engineering College (now NIT) which has representation from
almost ALL the states of India. While there were regional groups in
the first year (due to obvious reasons), people quite mingle (& make
life long friends) with other state students till the time they reach
final year - ONLY exception were students from TN! It would be wrong
to directly blame the TN students for this, but a reason behind this
sad fact is the way their upbringing have been done - which is clearly reflected by the cartoon. It's again really sad to communicate with a
Tamilian in English only to know later that he knows Hindi but deliberately avoided it - again I will blame the way they are brought
up! My only request to people of TN is to think beyond the cartoon and
make your children (& yourself) more accommodating towards others (&
do not allow politicians to make free votes out of it). Thank you.

I could not still understand why someone supporting a vernacular language such as Hindi is not arguing for Tamil to be taught in North India.If Tamil is made compulsory for all Indians we are happy to read Hindi but until than there is no way you can impose other language on us.Moreover voluntary reading of Hindi is not prohibited in Tamil Nadu. Central Govt. office in Tamilnadu has Hindi very prominently , why can't they have Telugu or kannada in central offices in Mumbai or Delhi where sizable number of south Indians live. It is the right time that Indian govt. promotes south Indian languages as they are promoting Hindi on southern states,Whatever said bad about Dravidian movement, they are the one who fought against the Brahminical, superstitious ,nonscientific temper that existed in Tamilnadu before them.If Dravidian party was not found we would be as fool as others still supporting God,caste and backward parties like BJP and Muslim league.

A cartoon is funny, sharp and insightful only when it depicts a truth. When untrue, it is no more than uninformed mockery. My maternal grandfather went to jail for taking part in Tamil Nadu's anti-Hindi agitation precisely because he preferred to get his news -- and his cartoons -- in the English newspapers, which he painstakingly taught himself to read and decipher. He may have opposed Hindi in his day but he fully embraced the economic promise of English for his children and grandchildren.

TN govt.should ban imposition of Hindi language as done in Matriculation, CBSE and ICSE schools. Due to the Telugu politicians of Tamil Nadu and Dravidian political parties, Tamil will cease to exist out of India due to the planned replacement of Tamil with Hindi, Telugu and other languages. These parties are not oriented to Tamil language and use caste to hide their non-Tamil identities.

This cartoon makes sense only if the context, especially the date on which it appeared in TOI, is understood. Indira Gandhi's I&B ministry issued a 'Hindi only' circular to all State Governments. Nehru's promises to non-Hindi States and people were thus compromised. Congress Govt in TN headed by Bhaktavatchalam did not protest with the Centre in spite of protests by anti-Hindi politicians of DMK, Rajaji, etc. I&B ministry refused to withdraw the circular holding the view that 'as per law' Hindi is the only official language of India. TN Students took to streets. Violence and shooting of student agitators ensued. Kamaraj protested. PM L. B. Shastri did nothing. TN ministers (C. Subramaniam, etc) in Central Govt resigned. Anti-Hindi protests spread to other States. At this stage, it became clear to PM that Hindi will not be accepted even by Congress leaders in TN. PM Shastri endorsed Nehru's promises, all that was written in the black board of the cartoon. (See below Part II)

Take all the text books,etc; and review all the cartoons and make it a point to find out some silly mistakes in it. What other work do people have nowadays but to find faults. Let this be the agenda of this year - fault finding, be it movies or cartoons. And dig all yester-year cartoons.

Language is just a communication tool!, since we tamilian, don't know Hindi, we had been handicapped when we go out of Tamil Nadu for our bread and butter? I feel shame that an opportunity for me to learn the language is blocked by the politicians just for politics. Dear politicians come out of the box and think just out of it. We are leaving in a dwindling world where people are tending to mingle each other and have a better communication. I don't want my kids to be handicapped without knowing Hindi.Let us all keep out our difference and think positively.

If one goes through the video grabs of political agitations involving students you will find that it is not the students who are pelting stones and destroying public properties. Recent Telengana agitation in OU campus is an example.Politicians employ illiterate goons for these acts. Students every where at any time are more concerned about their future.

Laxman wanted to convey this aspect in his cartoon.

I am a tamil . I am an Indian. And I am perplexed by the making of mountains out of molehills ...and the creation of tempests in a teacup ...and our inability to accept good-natured digs at ourselves as a people . I nominate Indians - i included - for the thin-skinned peoples award ! I don't think everyone needs to see the world the way we do, or love all of us for what we do or are, all the time. As long as it does not break bones or tear life apart let each person tickle his toes - and laugh ;)

It was Hindi IMPOSITION at that time and nothing but that. the Congress Nehru, Indira and host of UP based politicians hoped for their domination over non-hindi speaking states. One people one language was all crap. We had opposed the imposition - but not against the language.

I found some of the authors of e-mail are confused with the name of R K Laxman and R K Narayan, and I feel that this mistake is the outcome of uncontrolled emotion. Anti-Hindi agitation of 1965 used as political instrument not a rational one. R K Laxman and R K Narayan are blood brothers and great Indian treasures: Laxman is a famous cartoonist and his elder brother R K Narayan was novelist. They were known world over for their extraordinary contribution. How sad to bring them in the regionalised mess. They deserve profound respect.

I was a final year student of Pachaiyappa's College in 1965,and our College served as a the cradle of Anti-Hindi agitation. My English teacher Mr Subbian called me and said,Don't fall in the trap of politically benefitting politicians, including your leader Mr.Durairatnam. He said, You're are all wobbly in English, no knowledge in the National Language and only good in non-grammatic Tamil. One day you'll all see these protectors of Tamil language and culture amassing wealth while you'll all end up as an insignificant commoner in future'. Oh! how I wish my Professor Subbian lived today to relish his golden advice. The hero of Anti-agitation, Mr Durai Murugan, actually stayed in Vellore with my classmate Radhagovindan, his close associate reading newspaper items of Anti-Hindi agitation. After all cartoons provide some good natured fun which we all miss in the monotony our of school syllabus and education in general. Leave the education with academicians not to politicians.

We are Indians. We do not have a common language whose name is Indian. We do not have a national dress, national religion. Even our National Anthem is in Bengali or Bangla. This is how we have been living for centuries. It is a common site in the middle east, to find an Indian from the North East India speaking to an Indian from South India in Arabic because they can not communicate with each other in any other language.Any action that tends to alter the status quo runs counter to the fabric of our unity in diversiy. Our India is like one Kulu Valley and one thousand deities there. Such a diversity holding itself together as one India is nothing short of a miracle.

Hindi is no way benefiaical to the Tamils. North Indians will not let a Tamil take his position but the reverse is always true. Now Tamils enjoy the superiority he has on English language and he overpowers not only in the language but the international communities. I did not understand here What is wrong or where had Tamils gone wrong?

The anti-Hindi agitation in 1965 was politically motivated. The DMK used it to whip up the feelings of the student community and to fight against congress which was not politically comfortable at that time. I was a post-graduate student at that time. The public in general and student community in particular were attracted by the Tamil oratory of the DMK leaders. This culminated in the victory of DMK in 1967 with the support of Rajaji, whom they decried for advocating the study of Hindi earlier. DMK denied the succeeding generation the avenue to learn Hindu in schools and has spoiled their future. However, in later years, it was a well known fact that the very same DMK leaders encouraged their kith and kin to learn Hindi and also succeeded, just to capture ministerial berths in Union Cabinet. Now the people have realised the double game of DMK. Even today, it is a fact that the knowledge of English among many students and teachers is poor. The cartoon is correct.

I think the real essence of the cartoon is that the students should keep themselves away from agitations because they are students and any thing coming up to them should be a chance to learn a new thing.... in this case it WAS Hindi.... more over hindi is a language, India is known for.... as usual politicians are making a fuss about nothing.... most of the comments above are against Hindi which i fail to understand why???? are they so proud to have learned English or Tamil that they dont want to learn any thing new?????

It is highly atrocious to give one side version to the young minds and distorting the social changes brought about by the Dravidian Movements. Is it not the two language policy by which tamil people stood gained in the last decade. This needs to be addressed differently. The Ambedkar issue also,is he wholly responsible for the delay in drafting the Constitution? All other eminent? members like Alladi are not responsible. The case is the Forward caste members with the help of their counterparts in Journals tried to distort the image of Ambedkar. Can any one if writes an article in this way able to be placed the same as lesson in NCERT books? In the same way the Dravidian movements and their leaders are being shown by the Forward caste officials in bad taste. The young minds are poisoned by this type of visions projected in their text books. The monumental changes which brought by the Dravidian movement is ridiculed by the Journos of Forward caste which is condemnable.

It is funny how most readers say, I am all for freedom of speech and expression; but still want things of their dislike to be banned/removed. So the freedom of speech is OK as long as it ridicule others but becomes blasphemy when the humor is at my expenses.

Local language and Global language is more than enough for a student to learn and excel. Student should continue focus on science and Maths. Anyone moving to others states or country are learning their local language within few months. Then why the students get the pressure to learn more languages. I feel every state should follow like Tamilnadu. The cartoon is meant for humor, opposition raised at this time after so many years is just politics.

The publication of this cartoon further strengthen the correctness of our forefathers fighting against Hindi. My humble question is why Tamil, Telugu,malayalam, Kannada and bengali is not compulsory in any of the other states. In what way these languages is inferior to Hindi. I don't mind people learning any number of languages voluntarily but nothing should be imposed. Some are arguing why can't we learn Hindi also, I am sure if you try to get proficincy in many languages you will be halfboiledd in all the language. Tamils are better in English than any North Indian tahnks to the dravidian movement.I feel that everyone should be first proficient in his mothertongue, than only learn other languages. I think for us Tamil and English is enough, let the North people starts learning English and starts speaking in english in parliament rahter than narrating in vernacular language which half of our citizebs can't understand.It's very difficult for majority of people to be good in many langu

If not for the anti-Hindi movement, that book and the cartoon would have been in Hindi. The anti-Hindi movement made this country multilingual by rejecting the monopoly of one language and culture. The anti-Hindi movement cultivated the use of English which is a global language and helped IT and business sectors. And they mock our heroes who died to protect our language and culture.

Firstly the cartoonist in question was RK Laxman and not his brother RK Narayan as some readers have mentioned.I am a tamilian born after the anti Hindi agitation and have spent most of my life in Hyderabad.During my stay in tamil nadu for doing my super specilisation, i noticed no anti Hindi animosity amongst the people and realised that it was a myth which is propagated by vested interests.Moreover as has been emphasised by many readers the enterprising tamilian has made himself comfortable to Hindi in order to cater to a lot of north indians who come here either for job or study prospects or to utilise the cheap yet state of the art medical care. therefore agitation or no agitation , this issue is a no issue for most of the people.

Ofcourse the cartoon is depicting students in poor light... The anti-Hindi agitation is ONLY against 'imposition' and NOT Hindi language as such. There is saying - Thirai Kadal Odiyum Thiraviyam Thedu - Where one of the wealth acquired while crossing seas is 'Language' - Thus Tamils are NOT against any language. Just wanted to quote this as many of Non Tamil indian brothers and even the younger generation of TN feels that Hindi is prohibited in TN - This is a False propaganda. Go to a place about 70kms away from any major city in India (except so called hindi belt), then you will know status of Hindi. Even today, all indian states uphold their local language in their states. So why TN is seen differently?

Amazing the kind of politics even in the 21st century the politicians of India are playing and a fair number of public finding value in that. No wonder that we remain as a nation most backward; it is forward only in how to amass wealth through corruption. The chauvinism and parochialism seen in Indian States will make one wonder how the freedom was won and what a remarkable person Gandhiji was. What a fall in standards this nation has gone through in just 60 years ... from Gandhiji, Ambedkar, Abul Kalam Azad, Bose, Kamaraj, Kakkan... to Vaiko, Yadavs, Gowdas, Sonias, MK, Thol Thirumavalavan, Thakerays.... if the fittest (morally, ethically, competently...) need to only survive, this nation should not. The current generation of politicians are really the scourge.

Now a days,Politicians in India have turned cartoons. There are so many issues in this country to fight against towards acquiring belief of voters and to prove themeselves to be an Indian. In my view,language has its own importance and is second mother for every human being. So don't compare or hate any language and think far away crossing borders of language lines so as to serve the human beings in our society. Fight against devils in our society that are in shape of Humans not in the shapes of cartoons. It is needed to change the tendency of these peoples who malign this society.......

Many talk of freedom of speech and intolerance. But this is not someones personal blog, where he/she expresses personal opinion. It is circulated as text books to be read by young minds. Our textbooks should never be personal opinion blogs, nor should it intend to plant an inaccurate image of a society. If someone teaches inaccurate science in classrooms, will we parents sit and call that freedom of speech? If they want to do so, they should choose a Newspaper, webpage or facebook.

RK Laxmanan is not a fool. See the face of the 'anti-Hindi hero' in the cartoon,an unadultered rowdy in the guise of a student.

Cartoons in political science textbooks and classrooms describe; they do not prescribe. With both the Ambedkar cartoon and the this one by RK Laxman, these cartoons capture the political climate, mood and attitude that prevailed during an important event in history. This tells students not only of the events that happened, but also how they were perceived by those who lived through these events. Students are smart enough to understand that in any conflict there are a multitude of differing views and that this cartoon is taking one, in my opinion humorous, view. It, in no way, is sanctioning the view as correct. Politicians and activists too know this. In fact, I don't believe that either cartoon is really offensive to anyone. It is just that every single person believes that everyone else is deeply offended and therefore feels the obligation to join the chorus and proclaim their offence-taken vote as well.

With due respect, I am not sure these politicians who are stoking the fires, know English themselves. This is not about insult, self-respect or about the 'north-south divide'. This is about the divisive politics practiced by our 'elected rulers'. They are creating an aura of intolerance and insecurity - pitting Indian against Indian. We already have divides of caste, community, and region, state, just to mention a few. North Indians travel regularly to the south to conduct business. South Indians, especially from Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh find top jobs in the echelons of the government in New Delhi and elsewhere. At work, we forget our differences as south or north Indians, bringing the best. Suddenly, we have these politicians who want to ban a cartoon from the 60's. They get an ego trip and great headlines doing this. Do they realize how much they harm, an already divided society? Or do they simply not care for it is all about power and staying in the news?

Make any of the south Indian language compulsory in north India and likewise make any of the north Indian language compulsory in south India. By doing so we strengthen our unity.

This is the first time that any political party in TN has raised objection to the notion that Tamils cannot speak English. Usually, they protest the use of English.

There we go. Was waiting to happen.
Let's see who is up next in this race of competitive intolerance which
has been unleashed.
My bet is on RSS/BJP for something "maligning" sanatan dharma.
Heck, it might even be, what was their name, Sri Ram Sena for preserving
our "traditions".

it will be suffice to say that NCERT official who is a party to printing this material in the book, must not be aware of the sentiments prevailing at that time. it is ridiculous to say that students who agitated against Hindi imposition in those days, is poor in English. The standard of English spoken by students from Tamilnadu is far better than the rest of the country. This continues till date. It is relevant to point out an article published two decades ago in the hindu, stating that Tamils are opposing Hindi because they are suffering from superiority complex. This is also true to this day.

English is the bridge language in our country to communicate people of all states.Particularly for students the English is the bread earning language in entire GLOBE.English is comfortable language for day to day activities as experienced everybody.Hindi speaking states are listing back in development even after 60 years of Independence of our country.Therefore,North-Indian students must learn good English to make India as Developed Nation.

Every part and aspect of history and political science will hurt some or the other section of the people in India. So let there be no study of them. Similarly every aspect of science, medicine etc will hurt the religious or superstitious beliefs of some group. So let there be no study of them. Let only literacy be thought and leave the students to be guided by the respective political group that is selected by the family of the student. But what such student writes in exam may not be what a particular teacher likes. Every teacher belongs to some community or religious group. So to avoid problems let us not have exams or evaluation. Every law is disliked by some or the other group. So let us pass a law that there shall be no law and only the great natural law of the jungle is valid. Even with the present constitution, it is that natural law that is widely prevalent in India.

Cartoon should be taken with cartoon spirit only!

The said agitation in 1965 is purely a political jimmick by the DMK,which kindled the students and it had done more harm than good,as i was also a witness to the agitation.The event had deprived two generations learning the language in government run schools.Now that the complainant himself is conversant with the language and many MPs from Tamilnadu hire teachers to learn Hindhi,the hypocracy should not be allowed to continue.The cartoon should not be looked into with ulterior motive and it sholud be viewed as a catoon only.

I dunno what is the necessity for the govt to have sarcastic cartoons in school text books, sarcasm differs from one person to another, one may enjoy it and another may not so please do not have such sarcastic cartoons in any of the school textbooks or any education material.

All this shows is that our politicians lack a sense of humour and a sense of proportion. These narrow minded bigots seize every opportunity to deepen divisions in society which they believe will strengthen their electoral prospects. It is bizarre to see cartoons and textbooks being dragged into this cynical game of politics and not one voice being raised in the interest of the future generations who are sought to be given politically doctored texts. We need better educated and decent people in politics, not this riff raff who can only see the divisions of yesteryear rather than the promise of a future based on merit, education and hard work.

So, finally India has proved that it is no less than Srilanka in suppressing other languages. Shame on you NCERT. How can you distort history to insult an agitation that is considered by mother tongue lovers as a gold standard in protecting one's own linguistic identity? How can you teach hatred and divide young students with such senseless cartoon and ill-conceived lesson? How can you justify oppressiveness of the government by accusing people who just fought for their own language??

My blood is boiling on seeing such an insult to my state which gave Thirukkural to this world. These mindless NCERT folks should ask for an apology and withdraw the cartoon and lesson with immediate effect. Nothing less than this is acceptable.

Looks like Indian government is finding ways to invite trouble. No single mother tongue loving person in this country would either agree with this cartoon or support one language policy. Time for India to showcase real unity in diversity by not letting any single language being given undue importance or power. Otherwise it will be a shame on the country.

This is an eyeopener for many other states like Rajasthan that have quietly succumbed to Hindi dominance without much realization. As a history teacher, I'm moved and would salute Tamilnadu's resolve to protect its language. I always quote this incident to my students when it comes to learning their mother tongue. Tamilnadu's anti- Hindi imposition revolt has few parallels in the world history - Latvian revolt in USSR may come somewhere close to it. It feels bad that unfortunately such a noble cause has been maliciously depicted in this cartoon.

Tamilnadu politicians, especially of the Dravidian variety, have always been exploiting the common people who are highly emotional, sentimental and somewhat gullible too. Whipping up the passions by raising one or the other emotional issue has become a routine affair. Majority of the common Tamil people have been brain-washed so thoroughly by the Dravidian party propaganda for the past 5 decades that they are not in a position to see the reality. As a result, while our neighboring states like Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra have developed a wider outlook, are receptive to other cultures, people of other states and languages, we have developed a frog-in-a-well mindset and refuse to come out of it! Even today, the cartoon is relevant. It is true that many of the students in TN are neither fluent in Tamil nor English, not to talk about Hindi! Really it is a bad state of affairs!!

This is atrocious and provocative to publish in text books such an insulting cartoon that isolates and degrades people who stood up for protecting their language being over powered by another language. Indian Government has been very systematic in propagating Hindi through Hindi Prachar Sabhas across the non- Hindi speaking states with a Hindi chauvinistic attitude for decades without much success. People of Tamil Nadu have been in the forefront of leading agitations to protect their linguistic heredity which is manifold richer and older than Hindi. Such stupid insults and mockery further firms up my mind to never let any other language over power my mother tongue Tamil. Center should realize its decades old mistake and announce Tamil Prachar Sabhas across the country to compensate for its misdeeds.

Through these cartoon protests the VCK (Ravikumar, Vaiko etc.) are only trying to prove that TN is no better than the cowbelt in enlightenment or a sense of humour. Or is it just that they have become politcally irrelevant and so have latched on to some insignificant issue to hit the headlines.

Vikatan publications brought out a book containing political cartoons published in the famous Tamil Weekly, ananda viketan, years back.It was a collection of cartoons drawn by T.S.Sridhar (cousin of R.K.laxman) during the Kamaraj rule mainly and later years.His cartoons were like by many for its content reflecting the mood of the people in chennai.He had also drawn significant cartoons on the hindi agitations by DK,DMK and others.I think VAIKO was an active member of the DMK at that time.These political cartoons when seen in that book,definitely described the stroy of the political movement during the hindi agitations.But the public felt that the hindi opposition only helped the Political gains of Dravidian parties over Congress which resulted in the complete ruin of the party in TamilNadu.The Hindi opposition did not help the growth of Tamil, in most of the schools in Tamilnadu. Carttons are needed to highlight this.

I don't know why political parties do things like this? Do they think they're protecting the minds of the public from corruption by protesting against cartoons like this? How is the NCERT supposed to function if they have to get the approval of each and every Indian before they publish ANYTHING? -_-!

This is sheer nonsense! See what one spineless and stupid, knee-jerk reaction by the Central Govt. has caused! Now, it seems many politicians, who while young, at school or never there, never cared to hold a book in their hands, let alone, flip its pages, will be on overdrive and overtime scurrying and browsing books, past and present, to pick pieces and pictures that intended to do nothing more than poke harmless fun at people and societies and times, to protest!

Expecting a cartoonist to be politically correct, historically appropriate, and ever truthful in his/her representation of events is trying to make a journalist out of a cartoonist. Let the political leaders realize that the medium of cartoon must allow them the necessary liberty to portray the events in any manner they feel like. Cartoonists need the space to let their creativity soar. Let us not try and 'imprison' them.

It is ridiculous to even imagine that people in the North of India dared to put out such a cartoon that implies that students from Tamil Nadu had a lack of knowledge in English, when the fact is etched in every reality that people from anywhere in the South and especially from Tamilnadu and in particular Madras (Chennai), can and will beat anyone from the North when it comes to English proficiency (written and verbal). On top of it all, NCERT books being used as political tools is totally unexpected, unacceptable, and absolutely undemocratic.

The cartoon appears in XII standard political science book.The cartoon is in English.The message on board is actual assurance given by CM English will continue.This is political science subject where the state of affairs of politics as existed/existing is taught.The main message is that the person who was throwing stones is stamped as STUDENT AGITATION who is not a student & a thug who is not even aware of the contents of the banner as he is not even english educated. This sorrowful state of politics continues where agitations are stage managed with agitators having little knowledge what they are agitating for.Teaching this is political science subject will enlighten the student community of actual politics. Mr.Vaiko & Mr Thirumavalavan should turn their attention on DMK leaders who fanned anti Hindi agitation on one side and asking students not to study and on the other hand got their children HINDI educated.

When a 1965 cartoon by RK Laxman gives rise to offence, maybe it is time to call India a failed democracy.

One of the reasons for dirth of contemporary scholarly works coming out during modern times is due to this mundane compulsary political requirement to learn a language. Thanks to linguistic division of the country being an unfortunate inheritance of the past, we are forced to learn languages by political writ rather than it becoming a voluntary selection by students according to their interest, aspiration and desire. In modern India linguistic division has lost its significance as more Indians realise the need for administratively smaller states with focus on development. But crooks who enter politics see it only as another opportunity to corner and profiteer from better access to budgets and natural resources without accountability.
Language is for human endevour to communicate, learn, for expansion of ideas, human values, literary accomplishment and entertainment through artistic usage in novels and plays but definitely not for playing out petty parochialist and racist politics.

There is nothing wrong in the depiction of the Anti-Hindi agitation in the cartoon. Agitation persists for a while even after the declaration of its non imposition on the Tamils.They persisted in their wild and violent campaign against Hindi even after this declaration.Fortunate that this trend still exist in Tamilnadu. There is no point in objecting to this cartoon by Vaiko and others at this distance of time.Enormity of the anger of the tamils was against Hindi in any form,even Hindi is seen in the English letters too!Distortion by vested interests is always part of the History. The Cartoonist simply reflected the mood of the authorities who were blind to this agitation and over simplified it.They never dare to impose it again.Vaiko should not waste his energy on this small things.Tamils should take this lightly.It is true that strong views still persists for Hindi and as well against Hindi in TN.Cartoon reflected only those sentiments of pro-hindi wallahs! This is irony of History.

As per me this cartoon has no harm...... It is given in the political science book for the students to understand about Indian history....... It's telling only the real fact...... If hindi would have made compulsory , we Indians would have a common communication language and we may not need to use foreign language.... All the developed countries in the world, never give up their language. But we Indians supporting English rather Hindi. Those who oppose this cartoon may be due to get people's attention towards the party...

What is more important for a country regionalism or nationalism? Just to achieve short-term political gains we are forgetting it. If politician are not taking its responsibilities and citizens should do so.

It is so sad that the politicians like Vaiko and those who support the anti-Hindi agitation saying it as glorious chapter etc. Whether this type of language fanatics are still alive in Tamilnadu only. Of course, everybody should love his mother tongue but some like Vaiko are more vicious than any other on the earth. The politicans like Vaiko who try to get into fame for a silly cartoon in NCERT book.

What is wrong with the cartoon? I, my self is an witness of Anti Hindi Agitation of those days as an active participant (Ashamed now for participating in it). I was 9th class student during agitation time and how much English knowledge one can expect from a Government School student in India. Those days, there were NO many private/convent schools also as of now. R. K. Laxman is great Cartoonist and those days there were NO objections on this cartoon and in fact appreciated by every news reader. What is problem for today's politicians of Tamil Nadu? One should NOT try to project all yesteryear school students were English Professors. Generations must know the facts of their yesteryears. I think, basically, most of the Tamilians nature is adamant and still they refuse to learn any extra language for their own benefit.

Let us salute the 'Didi' and her 'guaranteed freedom' to cartoonists in her State of West Bengal.I wish the ailing R K Laxman,freedom.

Duraimurugan said "Few could match Tamils in acquiring the skills of the language". He refers to Srinivasa Sastri, Sathyamurthy and Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. Comparing apples to oranges / almonds and peanuts is not fair. Does he equate the skills of the anti english movememnt with that of Sastriji and others? The skill sets of Tamil Youth in spoken / written english is pathetic (amply demonstrated in IT Industry) and needs dramatic improvement. Due to the parochial attitude of our politicians, Tamil Youth neither know proper english or hindi.

The spirit behind the the anti Hindi agitation in 1965 is imposition of that language, not about learning a new language. The argument put forward in favor of Hindi was employment opportunities. The hollowness of this argument is exposed now. People from Hindi speaking states are pouring into Tamil Nadu and other southern states seeking employment. The migration from Tamil Nadu is to almost all countries except northern India. Imposition of Hindi will leave India with 14 countries one day if not in the near future. Hope better sense will prevail on the political class who still nurture the idea that Hindi is a national language and everybody should learn it compulsorily. As long as Nehru's assurances are implemented in letter and also in spirit only India will remain united. Planting a political cartoon in school text book to corrupt the young minds is certainly anti national. Millions of people endorse Mr. Vaiko's views and I am one among them.

Students and parents must be broad minded .Studying an extra language is not a sin . It is a strength.Anyway Mother tongue is within our hand !!

Do not get angry. Understand understand the perspective. It is all 'politics'. In actual practice, politics in India is elite competition. The masses are not politicized. From time to time the elites mobilize the masses in the name of anything that works for the time being: caste, language, religion, cartoon, etc. Systematic throwing away of redundance reveals that such mobilization proceeds mainly along four underlying dimensions: divide and rule,shifting responsibility, maximizing the benefits for particular people only,manipulation of information. This helps them to draw their own chestnuts out of the fire.

Cartoons are only the cartoonist's perception of events. I wonder why they should find a place in text books. This particular cartoon certainly shows the agitating students in poor light. Also, some cartoons carry relevance only in the context what was happening at the time of publishing them. This particular cartoon may have been published when the Students protest was going out of control. But anyone who sees it now , will get the impression that the agitating students were a bunch of unreasonable idiots - which is a wrong conclusion to draw. It is best not to publish cartoons in students' text books at all. The 'freedom of expression' argument cannot be accepted as it is the text books that we are talking about.

I am an NRI living in Australia. Language is one issue that is not properly understood by many Indians. Common person in India is not aware clearly about their National Language. It is beacuse of pictures and texts similar to this which paints one side of the coin and misses the other side completely. India is a multicultural society and the strength of the country is diversity. Multicultural acceptance should be promoted. It is something that people only say it in paper and not follow. I believe students in schools and college should be given a chance to question why Hindi in a democratic country. If not, question of democratic and secular India is questionable?

sir Hindi very important all govt school must teach Hindi .anti Hindi popularity spoiled youth rural development rural people visit other area bus no also food dress job .Hindi very very essential and also read other language very very useful job shelter very particular all caste must learn all language travel purpose very useful..political men need not use poetical gain ..no one come with political divide any one want develop study all language.

This is what happens when you have someone their way in the name of caste, region, language and religion, an obvious follow up of Dr. ambedkar's cartoon. I think Tamils have every right to follow their language, however, this cartoon points out the violence inherent in our protests. We are bunch of super-sensitive Indians who get offended on every single thing, atleast that is what we learn from growing up in a society so intolerant. Off course any cartoon or humour is directed at someone and something and of course nobody likes the humor when they are on the receiving end. If someone points out to me a single cartoon or medium of humour that makes 'everyone' happy including the person or group it is directed at, I will change my perception about humour. Please stop being so touchy. A civilization can not progress forward if don't allow space for free thinking and criticism, even if outrageous.

What, so now R. K. Laxman is anti-Tamizh as well? This cartoon is an apt contemporaneous description of what happened during the language protests, by a world famous cartoonist (India's pride) R. K. Laxman, who is himself Tamizh. Why are we even discussing the banning of political cartoons?! This intolerance is a shame for a country that likes to call itself the world's largest democracy.

Yes, let's just ban all cartoons altogether. Also, let us waste all our time on emotive non-issues, and brush all the real burning issues affecting this country and its people under the carpet.

Not knowing History properly from non-partisan basis is a problem for this Indian high level syllabi setting machinery-NCERT. Whichever team responsible for inclusion of distorted history depicted from one side, proved its lack of knowledge of modern Indian/Tamil Nadu history. These people should apologise for the mistake and should be given a 10 day refresher training in Tamil Nadu modern history from neutral angle.

Let us face the truth. You can delete the cartoon but not the truth behind it. Even today most of the Tamils I have worked with can't speak either Hindi or English. The proof of the pudding goes in a small but polite challenge to them: say what you have to say in just five sentences in any language of your choice.

Indira Parthasarathy & Ravikumar of VCK have spoken absolute gem of words and that's exactly how I feel when I look at the cartoon. It's completely out of context. I am flabbergasted every time I look at that insensitive cartoon. Students and people of Tamilnadu should have had immense maturity at that time to let RK Narayan get away with this cartoon. I can't imagine one such cartoon in today's time. We all know what's happening to cartoonists in Kolkata. I think the person who approved the cartoon to be included in the textbook wanted to test the patience and maturity of Tamils at present.

this is completely a wrong depiction of a just struggle. it tries to over simplify the problem and shows the student as a rowdy element. if this had appeared in a magazine it's perfectly fine, but to give it in a text book in wrong context is not justified. language struggles has happened through out the world and still happens. but to over simplify it as a wrong struggle without understanding the reasons behind it is completely wrong, wrong, wrong. earlier leftists used to alter history textbooks and now the trend still continues in a different way

Cartoons convey subtle messages treading a fine line between sarcasm and sensitivity. This cartoon may have been appropriate on the day when RK Narayan drew it. But when I see this now, I FIND IT VERY OFFENSIVE. I was not born in 1965 and never experienced the agitation. But whatever I heard of it from from my dad and grandparents, it was one of the finest moments in Tamilnadu's history. I take pride that my predecessors were responsible for not allowing Hindi to be thrust upon us. This movement was responsible for the growth that Tamilnadu has witnessed in every field, especially in academics. Had we allowed Hindi, we would have become another UP/Bihar. Including a cartoon in text book is not wrong, but why this offensive cartoon? This looks like a handy work of some ANTI-TAMIL XENOPHOBIC CHAUVINIST's attempt to HUMILIATE the entire TAMIL POPULATION with intention to demean a historical movement and systematically alienate TAMILS from rest of India. Accountability is not negotiable.

Another case of misunderstanding... I wonder when our politicians will grow up and take up real issues of common man... We all know how well the students of Tamil Nadu know English by the recent CBSE board results... Why create ruckus over a cartoon that was created decades ago ?? Please raise issues that affect the common man today... Why not help poor students from TN instead... really pathetic to watch these people cry hell over old stuff... They may even start commenting on sculptures on ancient monuments... What a country called India...

This news item shows how indifferent those in charge of the text book preparation are to the sentiments of people in general and Tamilians in particular. It is a known fact that many from Tamilnadu were proficient in Tamil in addition to other languages. The correct approach would be to withdraw the cartoon not because it is about tamils but because it hurts the feelings of Tamils, particularly after Tamil leaders have pointed out certain facts. Tamils also should understand their present situation. With more and more people from Tamilnadu going for higher education, thanks to the large number of institutions being opened in Tamilnadu, Tamils tend to take it easy. The National Employabiylity report 2011 (NER 2011), points out that only 10% (lowest) of the graduates selected by IT companies are 'employable'. Imagine the percentage if all passing out students are considered. Communication skills is one of the factors considered. Tamils should work hard to improve.

Tamil Nadu students speak much better english than many in the north. The cartoon is of very poor taste and only justifies the Hindi agitation.

I am all for freedom of speech and expression. In fact that is what enables me to write this comment. I don't know the circumstances prevailing at the time of this cartoon being drawn and since it comes from Mr. Lakshman, I am going to believe there would have been some merit in it. But it is rather quixotic to put it in a school text book. I think making fun of anti-hindi moment though harsh is even palpable. But making a remark about poor english skills of Tamil students protesting Hindi is not true representation of the issue. I vividly remember a cartoon from my history book of Hitler putting a chain around the earth and it is still stuck to my mind. Bottom line, the NCERT book authors are slipping.

Well, from the lighter side one can satirically assume from the cartoon that the person telling "The boy cant read.." must be an illiterate politician. I was a grade 9 student and we were studying Hindi as a language. Suddenly, when the Hindi chauvinist demanded Hindi must be compulsory, the students felt stressed out. They have to study three langauages viz Tamil, English and Hindi and that means study time will be spent more on langugaes and science and mathematics will be squeezed out. That was the fear at that time. Rest is politics and sensationalisation of the frustration of the students. The ruling elite of Congress lost touch with the grassroots and were taking orders from the hindi belt (Delhi) and suppressed the feelings of the people of Tamil Nadu. In the ensuing election congress was routed out and the fate of Congress was sealed then and the party was sent lock, stock and barrel to Delhi. This cartoon failed to depict the feelings of the then student, rather ridicule them.

Here we go again.All i can do is laugh at these politicians who carry out these silly stunts to divert people from real problems. I don't understand what is so upsetting in this cartoon. If we (i am tamil) agitated the hindi language, then what's wrong in accepting it? Only God knows when India will really shine!

Indians need an urgent dose of humor and tolerance. Its sad to see erstwhile cartoons evoking such emotions. Either we have lost all our tolerance or our sanity. Its really sad to see such news coming up in a democracy.

Even if all of India would have communicated in Hindi , we should have still be learning English to cope up in a global arena. And it is unfair to try to rub a language on students who are not comfortable learning it. As we know 40% of india can communicate in Hindi which is a language still undergoing refinement and nowhere close in comparison with the classical languages which were spoken by indus valley civilization. Hence just like Europe we should allow all languages to coexist with English as lingua franca.

come on TN. No harm in learning another language...

It is well advised that the government of Tamilnadu should introduce Hindi as an optional subject at the school level.