Coimbatore: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a gathering in Coimbatore on Wednesday, apologized to people of Tamil Nadu for not being able to speak in Tamil. His apology came amid debates over the imposition of Hindi in the state. “I apologise that I’m not able to speak in one of the world’s oldest languages — Tamil,” Shah said at the event where he inaugurated BJP’s District Offices.
His statement came at a time when National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 sparked controversy in Tamil Nadu. The policy mandates that students learn three languages – English, Hindi, and a local language. The ruling DMK strongly opposes this, as Tamil Nadu traditionally follows a two-language policy that does not include Hindi.
Amit Shah criticizes DMK, says BJP will form government in 2026
During his speech, Shah launched a verbal attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s DMK government, calling it “anti-national” and predicting its defeat in the 2026 state elections.
“2024 was a historic year for BJP. In 2024, PM Modi was elected PM for the third time. After a long time, we formed a government in Andhra Pradesh. Winning Delhi, Maharashtra, and Haryana shows people have confidence in BJP. We will end 2026 year by forming a government in Tamil Nadu,” he said.
He further said that BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would come to power in the state and end what he called “family politics and corruption.” “The time has come we have to remove anti-national DMK from Tamil Nadu. NDA government will be formed in 2026 in Tamil Nadu. The new government will start a new era here. We will finish family politics and corruption. We will root out anti-national activities from the state,” Shah added.
He assured BJP workers that the party would secure a “thumping majority” in the upcoming Assembly elections, surpassing its victories in Maharashtra and Haryana.
‘Injustice happened during UPA, not NDA’: Amit Shah
Shah also spoke about Tamil Nadu’s development under Modi government. He claimed that the previous Congress-led UPA government had neglected the state, while the BJP-led NDA government had provided more financial support for its progress.
“Injustice was done to Tamil Nadu during the UPA era. PM Modi has given crores of money for the development of Tamil Nadu. We have to inform the people of Tamil Nadu about the work by PM Modi for the Tamil language and Tamil culture,” he said.
Shah accused Stalin government of misleading people by saying that the Centre was neglecting the state. He said that the numbers prove otherwise.
“The CM of Tamil Nadu always accuses PM Modi of neglecting Tamil Nadu. There is no truth in it, I have come with statistics. I am here to tell him – if you are truthful, reply to what I am asking in front of the people of the state,” he said.
Comparing financial assistance given to Tamil Nadu, he said, “UPA government was there from 2004 to 2014, and it gave Rs 1,52,901 crores in the form of grant-in-aid and devolution to the state, whereas the Modi government had given Rs 5,08,337 crore in 10 years. In addition to that, the Modi government also gave Rs 1,43,000 crore for infrastructure development.”
Amit Shah rejects Stalin’s claim on delimitation
Shah also addressed concerns about the delimitation process, which involves redrawing parliamentary constituencies based on population figures. Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK has claimed that the state might lose eight Lok Sabha seats if the process is carried out.
However, Shah dismissed these concerns, assuring that Tamil Nadu’s parliamentary representation would not be reduced.
“PM Modi has made it clear in the Lok Sabha that even after delimitation, the seats of none of the states of the southern states will be decreased,” he said.
