Ashwin made these comments while attending the convocation of a private college on Thursday, where he asked the students in what language they would like him to address them
CHENNAI — Former cricketer R Ashwin has said Hindi was not the country’s national language but only an official language.
He made these comments while attending the convocation of a private college near here on Thursday, where he asked the students in what language they would like him to address them.
While a few preferred English and there was overwhelming support when he gave the option of addressing them in Tamil, there seemed to be no takers for Hindi, PTI reported.
“Hindi –no response. I thought I will say it (Hindi) is not our national language, but an official language,” the former India all-rounder said.
The BJP and the saffron party’s supporters have slammed Ashwin’s comments.
“Why should ashwin talk like this.i don’t like this.let him remain as cricketer. I am his fan.More the languages u learn it’s good.there are translations available for any language immediately in our phone.whats the problem.leave the language issue to people,” a user Saraaswathi Subramanian posted on platform X.
On the other hand many supported Ashwin’s comment.
“Hindi is not the national language, it is the official language,” affirmed one Zachariah George on platform X.
“Hindi is one of the official language of India, not the sole national language. India is a multilingual nation with diverse cultures and languages, all equally important. Imposing one language undermines the diversity. Unity lies in respecting all languages and identities,” said an X user Asif Khan.
The DMK has welcomed Ashwin’s comment.
“How can Hindi be a national language when many states speak different languages?”, DMK’s TKS Elangovan questioned.
