Chennai: The Southern Railway removed the words “Kartavya Dwar” from the entrance arch of the Divisional Railway Manager’s office in Tiruchi on Wednesday evening, following a political uproar over perceived Hindi imposition.
The controversy erupted after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin objected to the display of the Hindi name in Tamil, English, and Hindi scripts at the newly constructed entrance near Tiruchi Junction. Posting on X, Stalin criticised the “one language – three scripts” practice, accusing the BJP-led Union government of crossing all limits in its “frenzy” to impose Hindi.
Stalin said using Hindi terms in multiple scripts instead of Tamil and English equivalents amounted to linguistic imposition. He warned that attempts to challenge the “self-respect of Tamils” would face strong resistance and demanded that proper Tamil names be used immediately.
Hours after his remarks, railway authorities removed the “Kartavya Dwar” signage from the arch, stating the decision was taken “respecting public sentiments.” Earlier, DMK cadres and office-bearers, led by Tiruchi Mayor Anbazhagan, had blackened the English lettering of “Kartavya Dwar” on a stone plaque marking the arch’s commissioning.
Stalin further accused the Centre of systematically promoting Hindi and Sanskrit names in official institutions and laws, citing examples such as EPFO offices renamed Bhavishya Nidhi Bhavan, the rechristening of three criminal laws with Sanskrit titles, the Union Ministry of Water Resources renamed Jal Shakti, and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme rebranding.
AIADMK general secretary and Opposition Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami also emphasised that public institutions in Tamil Nadu must respect the Tamil language and ensure accurate translations on official signage.
DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi N. Siva and MDMK MP Durai Vaiko condemned the use of Hindi nomenclature, with Siva writing to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, stating it hurt the linguistic and cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.