Amid Hindi imposition row, PM Modi also targets Stalin over language: ‘Offer medical courses in Tamil, at least sign...’

 While the Tamil Nadu government and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is targeting the Centre over Hindi imposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also targeted Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the name of language, urging him to offer medical courses in Tamil.

 

PM Modi's retort came as Stalin was inaugurating a new government hospital in Nilgiris and the state is raising opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical courses. Stalin did not attend the inauguration of the Pamban bridge at Rameshwaram citing “official commitments.”

 

Addressing at Rameshwaram after inaugurating the Pamban rail bridge, India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, Modi said, “I would urge the Tamil Nadu government to start medical courses in the Tamil language so that even the children of poor families can fulfil their dream of becoming doctors. Our effort is to ensure that the youth of our country do not have to go abroad to become doctors. In the last 10 years, Tamil Nadu has got 11 new medical colleges,” ANI reported.

 

Addressing the gathering, Modi said, “I am surprised when I receive letters from some leaders of Tamil Nadu, none of them are signed in the Tamil language. If we are proud of Tamil, then I would request everyone at least sign your name in Tamil.” 

 

Targeting the DMK and Stalin, Modi said his government has allotted more funds to the state compared to the previous UPA regime. “Before 2014, only Rs 900 crore were received every year for rail projects and you all know who was heading the INDI Alliance at that time. This time Tamil Nadu's rail budget is more than Rs 6000 crore,” Modi said. He added despite this significant increase, “some people continue to complain without justification”. 

 

Modi, who arrived in Rameshwaram from Sri Lanka, inaugurated the Pamban rail bridge and dedicated various other Central-funded development projects in Tamil Nadu on Sunday. Built at a cost of over Rs 700 crore, the bridge is 2.08-kilometre in length, features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships while ensuring seamless train operations, the railway ministry said in a statement.  

India