Appoint people to teach Tamil classics first, says Annamalai

CHENNAI: State BJP president K Annamalai on Tuesday appealed to the DMK government to take concrete measures to develop Tamil language instead of focusing on opposing Hindi language. He demanded the government appoint special teachers to teach Thevaram, Tiruvasagam and Tholkappiyam.

Citing the ASER 2018 survey, he said only 25 per cent of the Class 8 students were able to read Tamil without mistake. “We can develop Tamil in schools and colleges only. So, we are placing certain suggestions to the the ruling DMK government to develop the language,” said Annamalai in a statement. He then urged the government to give monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to students joining higher secondary classes in Tamil medium and create 3 per cent internal reservation in medicine and other professional courses for students from Tamil medium. He said that the government should give special concession (offer) for Tamil teachers.

He claimed that several Justice Party functionaries were against the anti-Hindi approach and it did not take up any anti-Hindi protest. The DMK party had cooked up stories in the name of anti-Hindi protest for their political gain and to win elections, he said.