Stalin, who has long advocated for linguistic diversity, condemned the move as part of a broader pattern of imposing Hindi across non-Hindi-speaking states. He expressed concerns about marginalizing local languages like Tamil, pointing to the region’s historical resistance to Hindi dominance. Echoing past anti-Hindi agitations, the chief minister argued that this imposition threatens India's cultural unity by undermining linguistic plurality.
Stalin’s remarks align with a broader criticism against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government's efforts to promote Hindi as the national language. He directly linked the controversy to the national push for "One Nation, One Language" policies that he believes erode the federal fabric of India. Citing the anti-Hindi protests of the 1960s, he reminded the public of the resistance Tamil Nadu has historically demonstrated against similar initiatives.
The Tamil Nadu governor’s stance, which aligns with some central government policies, sparked further debate, with critics accusing him of disregarding the state's unique cultural identity. Proponents of Hindi argue that promoting it as a common language could enhance national cohesion, yet such policies continue to meet resistance in regions with strong linguistic identities, like Tamil Nadu.