Why Oppose Hindi, But Dub Films for Bollywood? Pawan Kalyan Attacks Vijay, Udhayanidhi Stalin

Janasena Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Friday exposed the "hypocrisy" of Tamil film stars and politicians linked to the film industry for taking their movies to Bollywood through dubbing for profits while criticising the Hindi language.

Kalyan's comments are seen as potshots at Thalapathy Vijay, founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhyanidhi Stalin, who is also a film producer and distributor, for their opposition to the three language policy.

Want Money From Bollywood But Refuse To Accept Hindi

"I do not understand why some criticize Sanskrit. Why do Tamil Nadu politicians oppose Hindi while allowing their movies to be dubbed in Hindi for financial gain? They want money from Bollywood but refuse to accept Hindi--what kind of logic is that?" Kalyan asked without taking names.

The actor turned politician, who was addressing the party's 12th foundation day at Pithampuram in Kakinada, said that India needs multiple languages and not just two. We must embrace linguistic diversity - not only to maintain the integrity of our nation but also to foster love and unity among its people," Kalyan stated.

It comes at a time when there is a massive row between the ruling DMK and the Centre over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly the implementation of the three-language policy. Most of the parties including Vijay's TVK are against the three-language policy.

Vijay's Comment On 3 Language Policy

Vijay had questioned last month: "What is the rationale behind the imposition of the three-language policy if it only serves to erode the autonomy of states? This move is a clear violation of the federal structure of India."

Likewise, the DMK leaders, including Udhayanidhi Stalin have been critical about the Centre's three-language policy and accused the BJP of trying to impose Hindi on South India.

"National Education Policy is not education policy, it is saffronise policy. The policy was not created to develop India but to develop Hindi. We are opposing the Policy as that would destroy the Tamil Nadu education system completely," Tamil Nadu CM Stalin recently said in Tiruvallur.

He also accused the Union Government of withholding funds to pressure the state into implementing the NEP. "We are asking for your tax share, which we paid with our efforts. What is the problem with this? Is it fair to threaten without releasing funds for the welfare of 43 lakh schools? As we didn't accept NEP, they are refusing to release funds that belong to Tamil Nadu," he stated.

"We would have welcomed the scheme if it brought everyone into education. But is NEP like that? NEP has all the factors that remove people from education. This is how this policy is, and that's why we are opposing it," he commented.

It is interesting to note that Vijay's movies are dubbed in the Hindi language and sold for good amounts. Also, his movies are regularly dubbed in Telugu language as well.

Whereas Udhayanidhi Stalin's Red Giant has dubbed Tamil movies to Hindi while also distributing Bollywood movies in Tamil Nadu.

Why Vijay's Schools Teach Hindi? Annamalai

Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai had earlier questioned Vijay's stand asking him why his English-medium CBSE school located in Padur near Chennai is teaching Hindi, contradicting his political position.

He said, "TVK chief Vijay runs a CBSE school in Padur. It is called Vijay Vidyashram. See the name, C Joseph Vijay. Who is this C Joseph Vijay? His land has been leased for 35 years from 2017 to 2052 to a trust. The trust is registered under the name of SA Chandrasekhar and the school run by this trust is Vijay Vidyashram.

What do some political leaders think - they run CBSE schools and Hindi is taught in these schools, and their own children learn French. Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi's son is studying French. What do these politicians think when they say government school students should only study 2 languages - be it TVK leader Vijay or Seeman or TN's Education Minister Anbil Mahesh? I am not delving into the DMK family-run Sunshine school."