'Don't Impose Hindi': Kamal Haasan Reignites Debate Amid Kannada Controversy

Kamal Haasan has taken a firm stand on the ongoing language debate, reiterating his opposition to the imposition of Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states. While promoting his latest film Thug Life, the veteran actor reignited the controversy with his criticism of language policies in the country.

Haasan, whose 234th film hit theatres this week, made headlines recently after claiming that Kannada originated from Tamil — a statement that sparked protests and led to Thug Life being withheld from release in Karnataka. Yet, he remained unapologetic. "I am the actor from Ek Duuje Ke Liye," he told PTI, referencing the 1981 Hindi hit about a Tamil boy who was in love with his Hindi-speaking neighbour.

"Without imposition, we will learn. Don't impose, because this is ultimately education and we must take the shortest route to education… and not put hurdles in its way."

Haasan's comments come against the backdrop of Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK party's criticism of the National Education Policy's three-language formula, which they say pushes Hindi at the cost of regional languages. The Centre has denied such claims.

Extending his support to other non-Hindi-speaking states, Haasan said, "I stand with Punjab. I stand with Karnataka. I stand with Andhra. This is not only place which is resenting imposition."

While suggesting that practicality must guide any language policy, he said, "And English seems to be fair enough. You can do Spanish also, or Chinese. But I think the most practical thing where the shortest route to that is that we have 350 years of English education, slowly but steadily."

Criticising any sudden shift in language policy, he warned, "So when you suddenly replace it, it's all over again. You make unnecessarily many people illiterate, especially in Tamil Nadu."

"You suddenly force all through Hindi and you tell them that you will not get your job beyond the Vindhyas, then you start wondering, what about the promises? What about my language? Am I not one of the 22 (official languages)? These are the questions that are coming."

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