Political leaders from South were deprived of opportunities by Hindi politics, claims Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: Alleging that political leaders from the South were deprived of opportunities by "Hindi politics and discrimination", JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Monday said it has prevented many South Indians from becoming the Prime Minister.
Expressing anguish over CISF officials allegedly asking DMK MP Kanimozhi if "she was an Indian" as she could not speak Hindi, the former Karnataka Chief Minister accused the ruling class of ignoring the south with "disdain."
In a series of tweets, he also raised concerns over Kannadigas allegedly being denied opportunities from getting jobs as for many governments and public sector jobs, one has to write exams either in English or Hindi.
"DMK @arivalayam MP @KanimozhiDMK has been questioned "Are you an Indian?.I raise my voice against the insult meted to sister Kanimozhi.
Now, it is apt to debate how political leaders from the South were snatched of their opportunities by Hindi politics and discrimination (sic)," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
DMK MP Kanimozhi on Sunday had alleged that a CISF official asked her if "she was an Indian" as she could not speak Hindi, while the paramilitary force ordered an inquiry asserting that it is not its policy to insist upon any particular language.
Stating that Hindi politics has prevented many south Indians from becoming PM, and H D Deve Gowda, Karunanidhi and Kamaraj are prominent among them, he said, though his father Gowda was successful in breaking this barrier, there were several incidents of him being criticised and ridiculed for reasons of language.
"Hindi politics was successful in making the then PM Deve Gowda deliver his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in Hindi.
PM Deve Gowda finally agreed only because of farmers from Bihar & UP. To this extent Hindi politics works in this country," he said in another tweet.
The former chief minister claimed he has also had similar experiences as he was a Lok Sabha member twice.
"The ruling class ignores the South with disdain. I have seen from close quarters on how Hindi politicians manoeuvre. Most of them don't respect non-Hindi politicians," he added.
Gowda was the 11th Prime Minister of India from June 1, 1996 to April 21, 1997.
Further noting that apart from politics, for many government and public sector jobs, one has to write exams either in English or Hindi and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is one of them, he claimed there was no place for Kannada in this year's notification.
Kumaraswamy alleged Kannadigas were being denied opportunities for getting jobs and this must stop.
"Centre says Hindi is one of the languages. But it is spending crores of rupees in India and abroad organising programmes to popularise Hindi. This is one of the clandestine programmes. It is possible to fight this only with prompt love and respect for each one's language," he said.
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Priyanka Gandhi urges Nitin Gadkari to expedite road projects in Kerala's Wayanad
Wayanad/New Delhi (PTI): Congress MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said she met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, seeking his intervention to expedite pending road infrastructure works in her constituency, including those aimed at addressing landslide issues at the Thamarassery pass.
Sharing photographs of the meeting on the social media platform 'X', Priyanka said Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, heard her concerns and sought updates from the relevant officials.
In her post, she expressed hope that the pressing issues she raised, which directly affect public safety and daily life, would receive the attention and urgency they deserve.
“Met respected Gadkari to raise issues concerning my constituency, Wayanad, and urged that pending works be expedited without further delay. He was kind enough to hear my concerns and get updates from the relevant officers,” she said.
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“I sincerely hope these pressing issues, which directly affect people’s safety and daily lives, will receive the attention and urgency they deserve,” she added.
A day earlier, Priyanka had sought an appointment with Gadkari in Parliament, saying she had been seeking an opportunity since June to discuss issues related to her constituency.
Responding to her request, the minister had said his doors were always open and that she could meet him at any time.
She subsequently met him at his office later the same day.
Met respected Shri @nitin_gadkari to raise issues concerning my constituency, Wayanad, and urged that pending works be expedited without further delay.
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 19, 2025
He was kind enough to hear my concerns and get an update from the relevant officers.
I sincerely hope these pressing issues… pic.twitter.com/UkxnXP6gxn
