Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election campaign in Tamil Nadu, BJP leaders are in a dilemma on whether they should advise him to speak in English rather than Hindi.
“Considering the antiHindi sentiment in the state and what is perceived as attempts by the Centre to impose the language, a section of leaders strongly feel that PM Modi will connect directly with the people if he speaks in English, which would be understood by many more people in Tamil Nadu,“ said a party ideologue. However, should Modi speak in English, it would impede his natural flow of words and deprive the crowd of his punch lines.
With Bollywood films gaining popularity down south, the atmosphere cannot be compared to the 1960s when the anti-Hindi agitation was at its peak, he pointed out. But it is definitely a point to ponder for BJP leaders in TN whether it would be advis able for Modi to speak in Hindi in an election year when political parties take pride in championing the Tamil language.
Party cadres reckon that Modi's pre-poll campaign launch in Coimbatore on February 2 would have been better received had he spoken in English rather than delivering a Hindi speech, which was translated by the BJP national secretary H Raja.
“Modiji speaks “Modiji speaks English effectively if not al ways with the correct pronunciation and this was demonstrated when he addressed various international meetings in the country and over seas,“ said party activist Murugan. At the same time, he said, even if the PM were to speak in English, the speech would still need translation in Tamil.