Tamil Nadu has once again found itself at the center of a language controversy after roadside signboards bearing Hindi text sparked widespread political criticism. The government responded by suspending two highway department officials following backlash over signboards that displayed information in Hindi alongside Tamil and English.
The controversy arose after officials installed new signboards along the Sattankulam-Nazareth state highway in Thoothukudi district, which were found to include Hindi text in addition to the customary Tamil and English. The matter came to public attention after videos of the signboards began circulating widely on social media, prompting an immediate response from the state government. Officials identified an Assistant Executive Engineer and an Assistant Engineer of the Highways Department as responsible for incorporating Hindi into the signage, describing the move as a violation of Tamil Nadu’s established two-language policy.
In addition to suspending the two officials, the government confirmed that departmental proceedings had been initiated against them. Authorities further warned that strict action would be taken against any official found acting in contravention of the state’s language policy going forward.
The episode drew strong criticism from opposition parties, with both the DMK and the PMK questioning the state government and demanding accountability for those responsible for the signboards. DMK president M.K. Stalin stated that Tamil Nadu had consistently resisted efforts by the Centre to impose Hindi on the state, and remarked that the state government now appeared to be responsible for the very practice it had long opposed.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the AIADMK had not issued any official response to the controversy at the time of filing this report.