Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, recently found himself in the eye of a language debate storm. During his visit to a private engineering college’s graduation ceremony in Chennai, Ashwin remarked, “Hindi is not a national language; it is an official language.”
This statement, while accurate, stirred controversy and drew mixed reactions from fans and netizens. Ashwin’s comments on language led to a deluge of responses on social media, with many fans expressing disappointment.
One user, @SaraswathiSub12, voiced frustration, saying, “Why should Ashwin talk like this? I don’t like this. Let him remain a cricketer. I am his fan, but more languages you learn, it’s good. Leave the language issue to people.”
Another user criticized Ashwin for what they perceived as a lack of unity, highlighting the importance of Hindi as a unifying language across India.
“He’s already mentioned in his interviews how difficult life was when you travel outside Tamil Nadu and don’t know Hindi. Dravidian parties lack patriotism and have already pushed Tamil Nadu behind while most states have adopted Hindi. Can’t we learn it for India’s sake?” the comment read.
This isn’t the first time Ashwin has found himself amidst controversy. The legendary off-spinner, who recently retired from international cricket, had earlier raised eyebrows with the timing of his retirement announcement. It came unexpectedly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, leaving many speculating about the reasons behind the decision.
Ashwin’s contributions to Indian cricket remain unparalleled. The 38-year-old concluded a 14-year-long career with 765 international wickets, making him one of the greatest spinners in the game’s history. He also holds six Test centuries to his name, a testament to his all-round abilities.
Ashwin’s remarks on Hindi have reopened the perennial discussion about language politics in India. While Hindi is one of the 22 official languages listed in the Indian Constitution, it has often been a point of contention in states like Tamil Nadu, where resistance to its imposition has historical roots