A fresh development has intensified the political rift between the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), after the latter, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, questioned the use of a Hindi name for Rahul Gandhi’s student outreach programme organised recently in Chennai. The latest exchange has reignited the debate over language politics, as the DMK accused its former ally of adopting an approach similar to that of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

However, the Congress shunned the criticism, calling it ‘absurd,’ laying bare the growing differences between both the parties following the collapse of their long-standing alliance after the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections held this year.

DMK questions use of Hindi

DMK mouthpiece A Saravanan questioned why the Congress had chosen a Hindi name for a programme targeting students, arguing that an English or Tamil title would have been more appropriate.

He remarked, ““Rahul Gandhi named the event ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Hindi. Didn’t anyone tell him that Hindi is unwelcome in Tamil Nadu? Why couldn’t it be named in English or Tamil?”

Refusing to stop here itself, Saravanan also questioned the consistency of the Congress’ position, pointing out that the DMK had repeatedly criticised the BJP for using Hindi to name government-run schemes. He then asked, “So what is the difference between the Congress and the BJP if they follow the same approach?”

The political fallout between the former allies has moved up a gear following the linguistic dimension. The relationship between the former allies had long been shaped by their shared opposition to the BJP.

Congress terms criticism ‘absurd’

Congress leader Mohan Kumaramangalam hit back at the Dravidian party, dismissing its objection as unreasonable. He also suggested that the party’s response reflected the resentment of a relationship that had ended. He asserted, “The DMK’s comment is absurd. The Congress did a student programme. It is a nationwide programme.”

He continued by saying that Gandhi had addressed the interaction in the English language and that his remarks had also been translated into Tamil for the event’s attendees.

Furthermore, he recalled how DMK supremo and Tamil Nadu’s former Chief Minister (CM) MK Stalin had flagged off Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanniyakumari. As per Kumaramangalam, no similar language-related objection had been flagged back then.

Former allies drift further apart

Before both the allies drifted away, the Congress had extended support to the DMK’s emphasis on Tamil identity while maintaining that students should retain the freedom to choose Hindi under the triple-language policy. Since their alliance broke down, the DMK has repeatedly launched verbal attacks on the Congress over the use of Hindi titles for Gandhi’s interactions with students.

The fallout also dented their parliamentary coordination. The DMK has distanced itself from the Congress within the Opposition INDIA bloc and has reportedly declined to sit near its former ally in Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi (Left) and A Saravanan (Right)

Differences extend beyond language

The two parties have engaged in a verbal spat over other issues too, including protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Although the DMK expressed support for the Opposition’s position on the exercise, it stayed away from demonstrations in Delhi.

During the monsoon session of the Parliament, the DMK also refused to join an Opposition walkout during crucial votes on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill. Instead, its members took part in discussions on the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill.