Vaiko flays reply in Hindi for RTI pleas

“Advocate Kumaradevan, attached to Dravidar Kazhagam, sent queries to Union Ministry of Health on allotment of funds to Ayurveda and Siddha, but, for the queries, the reply was given in Hindi. The incident shows the high-handedness of the Union government on non-Hindi speaking states,” said Vaiko, in a statement.

Recently, a doctor from Tamil Nadu was asked to go out of a video conferencing meeting by officials of AYUSH Department when he said that he does not understand Hindi. Similarly, in another incident when activist P Maniyarasan asked RTI questions on Cauvery Management Board the answers were given in Hindi.

Citing the above incidents, Vaiko said that these cannot be seen as mere coincidence, but a deliberate act to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states.

“According to Articles 343(2) and 343(3) of Indian Constitution, English is the official language in non-Hindi speaking states and also the language of communication between non-Hindi speaking states and Centre. Under the circumstances, BJP is trying vigorously to impose Hindi, but people of Tamil Nadu will teach a lesson to them,” said Vaiko.