Dhanush calls lack of Tamil fluency an insult, urges mother tongue first

The Story in Brief

Actor Dhanush has renewed attention to the language debate by urging people to learn Tamil and to be “fluent in one’s mother tongue.” Speaking at an event, he recalled that during his school days he and others were fluent in Tamil and struggled with English, but he said the situation is now the opposite. He told listeners that, in his experience, eight out of 10 people he meets do not know Tamil, and argued that one should be fluent in their mother tongue before other languages. He said not being fluent in Tamil is an insult and urged focus on learning the language. His remarks come amid a long-running language debate in Tamil Nadu, where language issues have frequently put the state government at odds with the Centre; leaders across the state’s political spectrum, from DMK chief and former CM MK Stalin to TVK founder and CM Vijay, have accused the Centre of attempting to impose Hindi on southern states.

The Indian Opinion

Dhanush’s call for prioritising the mother tongue reflects a cultural concern shared by many, but his phrase that lack of fluency is an “insult” is strong and likely to polarise. The article links his remarks to a broader political debate in Tamil Nadu, where accusations of Hindi imposition have been made by leaders across parties. Readers should note the report gives the actor’s views and political context but does not include reactions, data on language use, or wider public opinion. A balanced public conversation can promote regional languages while recognising that multilingualism and practical communication needs also matter. A measured tone would help avoid deepening divides.

Original article: ‘Not fluent in Tamil is an insult’: Actor Dhanush pushes for mother tongue first (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

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