New Delhi: At TV9 Network’s What India Thinks Today Summit (WITT) 2025, Telangana BJP chief and Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy addressed the row surrounding the Hindi language issue. Speaking on the matter, he accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin of raising the anti-Hindi narrative for political gains ahead of the elections.
During his session, Reddy responded to the claims that Hindi is being imposed on South India. He said, “I am from South India, but I try to speak Hindi. I did not study Hindi, but I learned it while interacting with people, and I make an effort to speak it.” He said that no individual in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, or Kerala has been forced to learn Hindi in the last 10 years under PM Modi’s leadership.
BJP not neglecting Southern states: G Kishan Reddy
Referring to New Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the central government, Reddy said, “The three-language formula was introduced during the Congress era. When the new education policy was introduced in 2022, almost 33 years later, Stalin raised this issue now, just before the elections. For five years, he remained silent, but now he is using the language issue to divert attention from corruption, the liquor scam, and dynastic politics.”
Reddy said that BJP does not neglect any language. He said, “We respect all mother tongues. Whenever PM Modi visits any state, he greets people in the local language. This reflects the respect he gives to every regional language.”
When asked if the central government is neglecting South India, Reddy rejected the claim. He said that the BJP is working towards strengthening its presence in the South.
“BJP is also a political party. We want to grow stronger in the South. We already have governments in two southern states – Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh. Under PM Modi’s leadership, we are continuously working to win the hearts and trust of the people in the South. We do not neglect any state,” he said.
3rd edition of WITT Global Summit
The third edition of TV9 Group’s Global Summit – What India Thinks Today (WITT) is being held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on 28-29 March 2025. On the first day, PM Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address, covering India’s economic progress and global influence.
The previous WITT Summit took place in Germany in November 2024, where international issues were discussed. The event saw participation from global leaders, including PM Modi, and featured deliberations on India-Germany development and international cooperation.
