Amit Shah reacts to Rajini’s take on the Hindi row

Hyderabad: Hours after actor Rajinikanth said that not just Tamil Nadu, but entire South India would oppose the imposition of Hindi, Union Minister Amit Shah responded saying, “I never asked for the imposition of Hindi over other regional languages. I had only requested for learning Hindi as a second language after one’s mother tongue. I come from a non-Hindi state of Gujarat.”

Speaking to reporters today at Chennai Airport, Rajinikanth had said, “A common language is needed for the development of the nation. Unfortunately, it is not possible to have a common language in a country like India. Not just Hindi, no language can be imposed on the people. If Hindi is imposed, it will be opposed not only by Tamilians but also by those from the other Southern states.”

Amit Shah’s pitch to make Hindi a common language was met with criticisms from the opposition parties including DMK, Congress, MDMK, and VCK. Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan even released a video condemning Amit Shah. However, the BJP leader was quiet until Rajinikanth made his opinion clear.