Criticising the replacement of English signage on highway milestones with ones in Hindi, MDMK leader Vaiko has urged the Centre to abandon the move.
In a statement, Mr. Vaiko claimed that the names of destinations on milestones along National Highways 75 and 77, which were mentioned in English, were now being replaced with Hindi. Roads that passed through Vellore and Tiruvannamalai had directions only in Hindi, Tamil and Kannada, he said.
“Since Friday last, English words are being replaced with Hindi words on highways along Chittoor and Vellore,” he said.
Recalling former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s promise that Hindi would not be imposed on the people who don’t speak the language, Mr. Vaiko accused the Centre of acting against this principle.
Pointing to past struggles against the imposition of Hindi, he said, “Some people are trying to impose Hindi again. They are advancing an idea that only learning Hindi would lead to job prospects.”
He contended that it was the learning of English that has helped lakhs of youth attain employment in western countries, including America and in Europe.
He warned that the Centre would face strong opposition if it pressed ahead with the move.
