Ashwin's Hindi remark irks BJP; however, K Annamalai backs

Chennai: Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin’s statement that Hindi is not the national language but the official language has irked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while DMK in Tamil Nadu welcomed it.

Coming down at India’s former star spinner, BJP leader Uma Anandan warned that it would be better for Ashwin not to get involved in the language controversy.

The lone councillor from Greater Chennai Corporation, Uma, said that DMK appreciating Ashwin won’t be a surprise. She said that she wanted to ask him if he was a national cricketer or a Tamil Nadu cricketer, the BJP leader said.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu's BJP chief K Annamalai validated Ashwin’s comment, saying he was correct that Hindi is not India’s national language but a link language and language of convenience.

"Correct. It is not our national language, which Annamalai is also telling you. Not only my dear friend Ashwin has to say that. It is not the national language,” ANI quoted the leader.

Ashwin made the strong comment on Thursday while speaking at a college event in Tamil Nadu, a convocation ceremony in a private college. During the event, Ashwin asked the students which language they preferred for his address. When some cheered English, the majority opted for Tamil. However, there was no response for Hindi.

"...I thought I'd say it all. It's (Hindi) not our national language; It's an official language. Okay, anyway", IANS quoted the former spinner.

Earlier, Ashwin announced his retirement during the Border Gavaskar Trophy Test series against Australia after the second Test. India succumbed to a disastrous loss in the series, during which the BCCI considered Washington Sundar as Ashwin's replacement.

However, Ashwin will play for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.