Well-known poet Kumar Vishwas has responded in his own style to the Tamil Nadu minister who made a controversial statement regarding the English language. Sharing an old photo of himself eating panipuri in a plane on the micro-blogging platform Twitter, he has said – We call the people of South India as Anna (Big Brother). If you keep your tongue right, then your taste will also be right.
Through a tweet on Saturday (May 14, 2022), the poet said, “Our Tamil aunt’s son Bhai K. Ponmudi (tagging) Ji. English mother’s sons are proud in every situation. Even after selling golgappas that give energy to the taste glands of my brothers and sisters of the south and also eating golgappas while traveling by charter plane to recite English poetry by the grace of this mother English. Jai Hind.”
Vishwas wrote in another tweet – Tamil is a very rich and developed language. You should be proud that we and you are part of such a language family and yes Ponmudi brothers, we lovingly and respectfully call the Southern brothers who make idli-dosas in our regions “Anna”. If you keep your tongue right, then your taste will also be fine. Love You. Jai Hind.
In fact, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi had said on Friday at the 37th convocation of Bharathiar University that the state government would continue with its policy of two-language formula. He also criticized any attempt to impose English allegedly. Further questioning the claim that learning English language will provide employment.
His remarks related to English were criticized by some parties. Hitting out at those who insisted about job availability for English learners, the minister had asked who are selling ‘pani puri’ in the city right now? In this statement he was clearly referring to the predominantly English speaking vendors involved in this profession.
Raut in favor of ‘one country, one language’: On the other hand, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday advocated ‘one country, one language’. He said that English is spoken all over India and has its acceptance. Union Minister Amit Shah should accept the challenge that all states should have one language. Interestingly, the Shiv Sena leader’s remarks came after Shah had said about a month ago that English should be accepted as an alternative to English and not as an alternative to local languages. His statement was opposed by many eminent leaders in the southern states.
