CHENNAI: The ruling DMK on Thursday mounted a strong attack on the Centre-ruling BJP-led NDA government, urging it to move beyond symbolic gestures and take concrete steps to make Tamil a governing language of India and an official language for court proceedings, including in the Supreme Court and all courts in Tamil Nadu.
Intervening in the debate on the Governor's address, Public Works and Highways Minister EV Velu said that if the Centre was sincere about celebrating Tamil, it should accord the language functional authority.
"Instead of pushing Hindi, make Tamil a governing language across India. Let Tamil be recognised for arguments in the Supreme Court, the High Court and other courts in Tamil Nadu, " he said.
The remarks came in response to BJP legislator Vanathi Srinivasan, who credited the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for promoting Tamil globally. "It is the Centre that celebrates Tamil in a big way and takes it to the world, " she said.
Countering Velu's demand, Vanathi Srinivasan said the Centre alone could not decide on the language of proceedings in the Supreme Court of India. "It is for the Supreme Court to take a call.If the court decides to allow Tamil, the Centre will not oppose it, " she added.
Intervening in the debate on Governor's address, minister EV Velu said that if Centre was sincere about celebrating Tamil, it should accord the language functional authority
The debate widened with Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P K Sekarbabu asserting that Tamil did not require validation from the Prime Minister. "Tamil is an ancient and classical language.
We do not need anyone to 'save' its pride. Do not divide people in the name of language, " he said.
We do not need anyone to 'save' its pride. Do not divide people in the name of language, " he said.
Shifting focus to law and order, the Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan alleged that Tamil Nadu was becoming unsafe for women and children due to the rise in drug abuse.
Law Minister S Regupathy rejected the charge, stating that no synthetic drugs or ganja were manufactured in the State. "Drugs are being smuggled through ports in Gujarat and brought into Tamil Nadu.
Preventing such smuggling squarely falls under the Centre's responsibility, " he said.
Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Minister P Geetha Jeevan accused the BJP-led Centre of withholding the Keezhadi excavation report and questioned its moral authority to speak in Tamil.
Citing National Crime Records Bureau data, she said crime rates in Tamil Nadu were lower than in many other States, adding that charge sheets had been filed in 91% of cases.