Language use is a very sensitive subject in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. There have been debates over the use of Hindi language in the state and it is also a political issue. A no. ministers in Tamil Nadu refused to accept Hindi as a language and insisted on using Tamil in the state.
Former Indian partner Ravichandran Ashwin recently sparked a contentious debate over the use of the language in the state. Ashwin called Hindi the official language and not the national language.
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Ravichandran Ashwin sparks controversial debate over language
Ravichandran Ashwin was speaking at a graduation ceremony at a private engineering college in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. During the ceremony, he asked no. of students who could understand English. Additionally, he also asked about students who spoke Tamil or Hindi.
While he received warm applause for English, he received even louder applause for Tamil language which was understandable since he was in Tamil Nadu. However, the cheers subsided considerably when Ashwin asked for the Hindi language.
“English students in the house…give me a hello. Tamil? (loud cheers from the crowd). Okay…Hindi (very little joy),” Ashwin said at the ceremony.
After realizing that the Hindi language received almost no applause from the crowd, Ashwin sparked the debate by saying, “I thought I should say this. Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language.
#Watch | தமிழுக்கு அதிர்ந்த அரங்கம்… “இந்தி தேசிய மொழி இல்ல”.. பதிவு செய்த அஸ்வின்!
சென்னையில் உள்ள தனியார் பொறியியல் கல்லூரியில் நடைபெற்ற பட்டமளிப்பு விழாவில் மாஸ் காட்டிய கிரிக்கெட் வீரர் அஸ்வின்#SunNews | #Chennai | #Ashwin | @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/TeWPzWAExQ
– Sun News (@sunnewstamil) January 9, 2025
Is Hindi the national language of India?
Ashwin received cheers from the crowd again after he refused to call Hindi the national language. However, the remarks sparked a controversial debate on social media.
It should be noted that the Indian Constitution accepts Hindi as an “official language” but not as a national language. India does not have a designated national language due to the wide variety of languages spoken in different parts of the country.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s incredible numbers in Tests
Ravichandran Ashwin recently retired from international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He officially announced his retirement after the third Test of the series played at Gabba, Brisbane.
The 38-year-old veteran finished as one of the legends of the game, having played over 100 Tests during his prolific Test career. Ashwin has picked up 537 wickets in 106 Tests at an average of 24 with 37 five-wicket hauls.
Ravichandran Ashwin finished as the second most successful Indian bowler in Tests after Anil Kumble. In addition to his bowling, he was also a handy batter down the order. He scored 3503 runs at an average of 25.75 and hit 6 hundreds in his career.
Besides Test cricket, Ashwinn has also played a good no. white ball cricket. He finished with 156 wickets in 116 ODIs at an average of 33.20 and 72 wickets in 65 T20Is at an average of 23.22.
