NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, MAY 8
Days after, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Ramadoss has alleged Hindi imposition in All India Radio, saying programmes should have regional names, the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu on Sunday hit out at the Centre for what it called replacing the national broadcaster’s name ‘All India Radio’ with ‘Akashvani’.
- Several political parties in Tamil Nadu have condemned the action “to deny the rightful place of Tamil in All India Radio and impose Hindi” in its place.
- Radio stations in Tamil Nadu have been using the name ‘Vaanoli’, the Tamil equivalent of Akashvani: Baalu
It is pertinent to note that on the one hand the Centre under PM Narendra Modi’s rule has been organizing many events to glorify Tamil, the Classical language, on the other it is giving stepmotherly treatment to regional languages inviting nationwide protests.
The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu on Sunday hit out at the Centre for what it called replacing the national broadcaster’s name ‘All India Radio’ with ‘Akashvani’ and demanded that the Union government restore the name AIR.
Writing to Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur, DMK Parliamentarian T R Baalu referred to media reports on Prasar Bharati’s “direction” to stop using the words All India Radio and instead use the word Akashvani and said the “sudden decision is unwarranted.”
Blaming the Centre, Baalu said his party was fully against the decision to “jettison” the popular name All India Radio.
“In the circumstances, I request you to kindly intervene in the matter and advise Prasar Bharati suitably so that the earlier practice is restored by it immediately.”
Though Prasar Bharati claimed that this was an old decision and AIR stations have been advised to implement it, Baalu, also leader of the DMK Parliamentary party, said the move was “not proper and is not acceptable at all”.
“Already, people in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere have started protesting the action of Prasar Bharati.”
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader S Ramadoss has alleged Hindi imposition on All India Radio programmes.
Citing a satellite message from the policy division of All India Radio, the PMK leader said, “Is All India Radio imposing Hindi even on its news and announcements? In Tamil Nadu, Tamil should be used!”
Several political parties in Tamil Nadu have condemned the action “to deny the rightful place of Tamil in All India Radio and impose Hindi” in its place.
Radio stations in Tamil Nadu have been using the name ‘Vaanoli’, the Tamil equivalent of Akashvani, he said.
